Donald Trump and the judge presiding over his hush money trial are staring each other down with profound implications for the former president, the coming election and the rule of law in the United States.
Juan Merchan is now closer than any judge in American history to putting an ex-president behind bars after laying down a red line he says he may have no choice but to enforce if Trump does not start obeying the rules.
Merchan on Monday found Trump had yet again violated a gag order that precludes attacks on witnesses, the jury and others, days after he fined him $1,000 each for nine previous transgressions. But he noted that the defendant wasn’t getting the message and warned he would have to escalate if necessary and appropriate in the future, as much as he sees the option as a “last resort.”
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The timing of the judge’s warning was significant because several moments of maximum stress are approaching for Trump with testimony expected soon from his former lawyer Michael Cohen and former adult film star Stormy Daniels.
I mean, we already knew there was a two-tiered justice system in the United States. But I guess it’s nice to finally have a judge confirm it.
I don’t think that’s entirely fair to the judge. There is no precedent for imprisoning a former president or someone who is currently running for president . There are real legal and logistical problems with doing so. Meanwhile $1k is literally the maximum amount the judge can legally fine him for each infraction. Judges get a lot of latitude in deciding how to deal with people who are violating a court order, but in this case he risks setting off a political shitstorm and I do not envy him.
There are no legal or logistical issues. Contempt of court is contempt of court. But you’re right that jailing Trump would make him a political martyr to his supporters and that would become a massive shitstorm.
By logistical issues, I assume they mean the logistics of having secret service in the jail along with the president
So put him in Gen Pop. Some white supremacist gang with take him in right away.
They can stand in a jail outside of a iso cell just as well as prison staff can.
Ever hear of Eugene V. Debs?
Debs was already in prison when he decided to run, and he also had basically no chance of winning, so that’s not exactly the same.
Had run already run for office 4 times prior, once earning 6% of vote so it is disingenuous to say he decided to run when already in prison. Yes he had no real chance of winning, but as a labor leader of international national prominence, he was a serious candidate for the office. Yes not exactly the same but there is precedence.
Separate what is “yeah the rich get away with everything” from “and this dude was once president” and you can see that this is still a unique situation that has less to do with his wealth.