UPDATED
This week, former President Trump returned to a New York courthouse where he will undergo his first criminal trial.
Prosecutors are focusing on Trump’s social media activity, specifically his posts he made about members of the court. These posts are under scrutiny because there’s a gag order in place that prohibits such attacks. The District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office has indicated plans to introduce these posts as evidence to hold the former President in contempt of court.
“Just because we’re abusing the legal system to take out our political competitor doesn’t mean he’s allowed to complain about it” — Progressives https://t.co/zrWXMzOg0B
— Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) April 15, 2024
Adding to the drama, MSNBC legal analyst Lisa Rubin, who is present at the courthouse, tweeted some crucial updates. She mentioned that the DA’s office is preparing to argue that Trump should be held in contempt for violating the gag order. This means they believe Trump’s actions are not just inappropriate but are also legally punishable.
NEW: While arguing for the admission of tweets and social media posts evocative of Trump’s pressure campaign on witnesses, the DA’s office drops this: “Shortly, we will be seeking an order to show cause why Defendant should not be held in contempt” for violating the gag order.
— Lisa Rubin (@lawofruby) April 15, 2024
UPDATE: Prosecutors are not seeking to incarcerate Trump but want him fined $3,000 for violating the gag order.
Meanwhile, Judge Juan Merchan, who is overseeing this trial, has been another focal point. Trump has demanded that Judge Merchan recuse himself due to a perceived conflict of interest involving his daughter’s employment at a firm that works for prominent Democrats. However, Judge Merchan has firmly denied these recusal motions, emphasizing that the demands are based on unsupported speculations and innuendos. His decision to stay on the case means that jury selection and the trial will proceed as scheduled without the delay that Trump’s legal team might have hoped for.
Judge Merchan said that he consumed the state’s ethics advisory committee, which said that his daughter’s employment or activity did not require him to step away from the case.
In other words, Democrats told a Democrat their Democrat activity was ok.
PRESIDENT TRUMP: “This is an assault on America.” pic.twitter.com/UoQXF8Vkcq
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) April 15, 2024
