C’mon now. You all know that Trump can’t keep his mouth shut. He probably talks in his sleep. And now it looks like Trump could have violated his gag order while he was seated in court as the trial was underway. It’s difficult to imagine how that could happen, but if anyone could do it, well Trump would be just the person to do so.
Ryan Goodman, a former federal prosecutor raised the possibility of former President Donald Trump not simply testing to see how far he can go with the gag order that was imposed on him by New York Judge Juan Merchan in his hush-money trial, but even by doing this during the actual trial, Raw Story reports.
“to make these statements or have these statements made from within the courthouse would be to amplify the ‘contempt’ of and four the court,” Goodman, who is also co-editor in chief of just security, posted on X.
The discovery comes after prosecutors cited seven instances in a supplemental affidavit in which they say Trump defied the gag order. Goodman pointed to numerous time stamps from Monday and Tuesday, and if these hold up, this could pinpoint Trump’s stubborn insistence on flouting the gag order while sitting in court.
Can you imagine being that brazen? Trump has violated so many gag orders that if any one of us did this in or out of court we’d be doing a stint in prison. I wish they’d throw something at this man and make it stick.
“See some of the time stamps that the da identifies in new motion,” goodman wrote. “Monday 9:12 a.m. Monday 10:26 a.m. Tuesday 1:50 p.m.
Now that Trump’s potentially disrespectful behavior has been found out, a contempt hearing has been set for April 23 at 9:30 a.m. after prosecutors complained about the ex-president’s possible violations of the gag order. This gag order was intended to shield court staff, jurors, witnesses, and relatives of Judge Merchan and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.
Assistant District Attorney Christopher Conroy has specifically asked for a $1,000 fine for each of the alleged violations and an order forcing Trump to pul them off his Truth Social feed, as well as warning him that additional violations “could result in jail time.”
Conroy made note of the timing of the alleged fourth gag order violation, saying, “It’s entirely possible it was done within this courthouse.”
Merchan expanded the gag order on April 1. It had originally been issued on March 26 to protect “family members of any counsel, staff member, the Court or the District Attorney.”
I’m going to suggest that if Trump is using his damned phone in court, perhaps it’s time to take this toy away from the former president with a mentality of a nine-year-old.
Just sayin.’ I mean, nothing ever seems to happen to Trump. He violates these gag orders and perhaps gets slapped on the wrist with a wet noodle. If Judge Merchan really wants Trump to knock this off, it’s time to put some teeth into this.
Here’s what Goodman had to say on X.
2/ See some of the time stamps that DA identifies in new motion.⤵️
Monday 9:12 a.m.
Monday 10:26 a.m.
Tuesday 1:50 p.m.To make these statements or have these statements made from within the courthouse would be to amplify the "contempt" of and for the court. pic.twitter.com/WB5Qc1GtNp
— Ryan Goodman (@rgoodlaw) April 18, 2024
I love the idea of for the rest of the trial Trump being subjected to a THOROUGH pat down (and seizure of his phone or phones) each time he enters the courtroom – out in the hall where TV cameras can show it. Live.
Some claim this is his strategy…that’s a good one. It’s the same strategy when a toddler throws a tantrum because they can’t eat cake at bedtime. He needs a good dog trainer like the one Southpark used to train the tyrant Eric cartman.
I have a question. Not an “I’m outraged” question, a real 72 year olds question about something that baffles her: WHY does TFG just get wet noodle slapped when he has violated double digits of assorted gag orders? Why can’t the judges do something like kick him out of the courtroom for the day and make him watch the proceeding on video. (preferably in a holding. cell.) Literally, Just Askin’…..
Because there’s a double standard. Judges, lawyers and politicians are in a class of their own, i.e., rich folks. Try being a father without a job in family court even if you’re a good father, but have no money to pay child support, even if it was your ex who cheated and destroyed the family. You’ll be slapped with contempt THAT MINUTE, given 30 days, and led out in handcuffs and leg irons. FACT. The rich don’t even pay taxes or go to jail. There’s two legal systems in America…that’s why Trump still roams free. That’s why.
My comment to the Judges: STOP LETTING THIS TRAILER-TRASH TRAITOR AND LIFE LONG CRIMINAL GET AWAY WITH HIS BS! LOCK HIM UP NOW!!
hubs and I feel same way….put his ass ALONE in a closed room with just a one way a/v feed.
Thanks for the reminder Mr. Jackson. I taught in a prison for 16 years. My students were living proof that whatever their race, gender or religion their sentence was ALWAYS in part a “green thing $$”
TFG is rich and (in)famous but he can’t seem to buy himself a good lawyer since he’s such hellspawn as a client. Question answered. Thanks.
Actually he has in fact managed to hire a few good ones. He’s got two well-qualified and respected ones at the table with him in his Manhattan criminal trial. The problem is he doesn’t listen to good lawyers, as in the ones who both know their stuff (and how to handle things in actual courtrooms) AND tell him the truth. He doesn’t like being told things he doesn’t want to hear. Trump only wants to hear (from his lawyers) about how unfair it all is, how no one has been “persecuted” like he has and that there’s NO evidence he ever in his life did anything wrong. Trump gets furious over (and at) well qualified lawyers who tell him this or that aspect of a case against him DOES present a problem they’ll have to deal with in court. And how best to deal with said problem(s). Trump of course thinks he knows more about anything than any other person who’s ever lived. So one of two things winds up happening. The good lawyers either quit or get relegated to the sidelines/ignored. Or, feeling a professional obligation to try and do their best suffer through trying to nurse Trump through the legal process in the hopes he won’t force them to say/do something that will wreck their careers. Or worse get them in hot water with the Bar.
My guess is that the talk of a Trump/Todd Blanche “bromance” is actually the latter having made an effort to buddy up to Trump as a means of controlling him. Trump as we know is susceptible to flattery and by sucking up some (and I’m sure he got plenty of money upfront) to Trump and becoming (sort of) a “bro” that Trump will at least listen to things he doesn’t want to hear. And if not in the end follow his lawyer’s guidance at least not show his ass as much as he otherwise would have. Damned near all of the best lawyers from the top-drawer firms simply aren’t willing to play that game. Even for several million in upfront retainers. They have OTHER clients who are also (and actually) rich who have made it known they don’t like the idea of their lawyers being connected to Trump. Pure economics. Trump will cost their firms more than he will pay in.
Maybe as someone suggested here on PZ Blanche got a whopping big retainer. And moving on can represent a few unsavory but rich clients. Mobsters and the like. AND write a book which would make him (maybe) a fuckton of money and he can retire early.
We have the best justice system that money can buy.
At this point in time,Trump’s refusal to pzy his lawyers is well-known. They would demand a couple of million up front before taking his case. The trial would take 6weeks, so perhaps even more money. He isn’t getting g his choice of the best firms, just the ones willing to take his case so third tier at best.
A ball gag would work. Anyone know a goid Pro Domme in Manhattan? Call her an assistant to the first chair. I would say she could threaten him.with a riding crop, but he’d likely enjoy that. Maybe take away his phone for the duration and make him run laps of Central Park. We know he hates walking. Or thirty minutes on a affair stepper.