Judge warns Trump could be jailed for further violations
In the paper order explaining his ruling holding Trump in contempt for his violations of the case's limited gag order, Judge Merchan warned Trump that he could be locked up if he continues to willfully violate the order.
"Defendant is hereby warned that the Court will not tolerate continued willful violations of its lawful orders and that if necessary and appropriate under the circumstances, it will impose an incarceratory punishment," Merchan wrote in his order.
Merchan wrote that Trump has until 2:15 p.m. ET today to remove posts violating the order from his social media account and campaign website. Trump has until close of business on Friday to submit the $9,000 penalty Merchan levied against him.
In his ruling, the judge also appeared to acknowledge the behavior of Michael Cohen, who has been targeting Trump on TikTok, and indicated that it could possibly lead to modifications of the gag order in the future.
Merchan said it is of the "utmost importance" that the limited gag order "not be used as a sword instead of a shield by potential witnesses," underscoring that the true purpose of the order is to "protect the integrity of these proceedings by shielding those fearful of reprisal by the Defendant so that they may take part in these proceedings without concern."
"However, if a protected party turns that underlying purpose on its head, it becomes apparent that the protected party likely does not need to be protected by the Expanded Order," the judge wrote.
Trump's team has argued that some of Trump's remarks were in response to attacks on him, including from Michael Cohen.
