Donald Trump almost made it through an entire four-day trial week but not quite. He blew it at the end and the judge reminded him of who he was and where he was, namely a criminal defendant in the Manhattan criminal court building. The incident happened at the end of the day today. It’s Friday and Trump has had a very bad week. He’s been sketched napping in court and then social media picked up on a story about him passing gas and we’re just going to let that one ride. My God, how much farther down can our *civil* discourse in this country plunge?
The incident that infuriated Trump late this afternoon was when he had decided that it was time to leave the His Honor the judge had to remind defendant Trump that nobody makes a move in that courtroom without his permission. Daily Beast:
New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan was wrapping up a contentious hour of debate with lawyers on both sides Friday afternoon, when he clarified that a contempt hearing—where he might punish Trump for repeatedly ignoring a gag order and continuing to publicly speak threateningly about witnesses and jurors—would commence Tuesday morning.
But just as the judge neared the end of his sentence, Trump abruptly stood up—apparently thinking the day was over. Immediately, Merchan turned his face to the former president and said in a firm voice: “Sir, can you please have a seat.”
His long, black robes dangled from beneath his right hand as he waved it down, like a man addressing his dog. It wasn’t a question. And while the judge maintains a stoic demeanor at all times, the tone was decidedly sharper than even the one he’d taken when expressing disappointment in Trump’s lawyers minutes earlier.
Without hesitation, Trump went and plopped straight back down into his maroon leather chair at the defense table—and remained for another minute, fuming as the judge gathered his paperwork and strolled toward his chambers.
As the judge exited the courtroom, Trump shot up and made straight for the back, furious. He looked straight toward the wooden double doors in back, ignoring reporters in the pews and clicking his tongue as he approached the EXIT sign.
And that was after this, which kicked off the day.
Donald Trump: “The gag order has to come off. I have to be released from the gag order. They’ve taken away my Constitutional right to speak, including speaking to you. I have a lot to say to you, but I’m not allowed to say it.” pic.twitter.com/9uIKBrBl9b
— Republican Voters Against Trump (@AccountableGOP) April 19, 2024
And then there’s this curve ball. Jesse Watters, who is the new Tucker Carlson, is making things complicated, as Lawrence O’Donnell explains.
"They are trying to rig this jury. They are catching undercover liberal activists lying to the judge."
-Jesse Watters"They are catching undercover liberal activists lying to the judge in order to get on the Trump jury."
-Donald TrumpDefinitely not a direct quote.
— Mike Morton (@TheMikeMorton) April 19, 2024
It’s been speculated that Fox News is trying to provoke a mistrial. Who knows? All that is known for sure is that Trump’s lawyers, once again, asked for the trial underway in Judge Merchan’s courtroom to be delayed, and the venue moved and once again, that motion was denied.
Donald Trump's lawyers just won't stop throwing Hail Mary passes.
They just asked New York State's appellate court in Manhattan to halt the trial, citing an unfair jury selection of biased jurors. pic.twitter.com/kVbeBkra4w
— Jose Pagliery (@Jose_Pagliery) April 19, 2024
The trial will go forward on Monday, same bat time, same bat channel, same bat judge. And the court is set to resolve the issue of the gag order violations on Tuesday. Trump has violated the gag order numerous times and the $1,000 per violation is said to be a joke. So what will the judge do? Put Trump in jail? He could. If it was any other defendant he would. We’ll find out.
Heard that American legal system was supposedly a rigorous “fight” between defense and prosecution. Now have to put up with a big dose of chaos and insanity…
On a typical day once the various “Parts” (as they call courtrooms in NYC) have finished for the day and people who were waiting to be called to court get taken back to Rikker’s there’s plenty of space in “the tombs.” Bare cells with benches. Trump should after court be kept in a sideroom until the tombs have cleared out and be sent to a cell all by his lonesome (except for his Secret Service detail and bailiffs standing watch) to cool his jets for a couple of hours. And then, and with most of the TV cameras having departed be taken back to Trump Tower. He won’t see the judge until the next morning, and before the jury is brought in be told that for each future violation of the gag order there will in addition to a fine (and more than just a grand, let the amount add up with each successive violation) two hours in the tombs before going “home” in the evening. If he’s hungry he can get what regular prisoners might get – a “horsecock” (bologna sandwich on white bread) and a bottle of water. No fast food “hamberders” or Diet Cokes until the Secret Service is allowed to escort him out of the building. Now THAT would make for some great TV. Trump stomping along wolfing down fast food and guzzling Diet Cokes and spilling that and condiments from the burgers on his shirt!
I suspect that would quickly jerk Trump into line. It might not be full lockup like he deserves but for Trump it would be hours of hell on earth. I’ll take what I can get if that’s all the suffering we can put him through in the weeks ahead.