Prosecutors want Trump threatened with prison for violating the gag order

Neal Katyal said Manhattan prosecutors are not so much looking to fine Trump as much as Judge Merchan is warning him that more violations of the silence order could mean jail time.

Neal Katyal explained what prosecutors are looking for following Trump’s hearing on the gag order violation: “I think Trump’s lawyers will make a possible argument to say he didn’t violate the gag order? I think he clearly did. So instead they say the gag order is unconstitutional. It is a violation of his First Amendment rights. These gag orders are imposed all the time in cases like this, for the most important reasons. So I don’t think the discussion is going anywhere. Prosecutors here just asked for a $1,000 fine for each violation. But what they want is a stern warning to Trump, saying if you do this again, you’ll go to jail. And that’s basically the ball game, which is, I think, more: what will the penalty be? Not? Did he violate the gag order?’

Video:

Neal Katyal on what prosecutors are really looking for at the gag order hearing: “The prosecutors here just asked for a $1,000 fine for each violation. But what they want is a stern warning for Trump, saying if you do this again, you’re going to jail.” pic.twitter.com/83ssiz21MT

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— Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) April 21, 2024

Trump will not stop, no matter how high the fine. Donald Trump thinks his only way to avoid being convicted in this case is to intimidate and tamper with the proceedings. The way to stop Trump’s behavior is to threaten to throw him in jail.

The ex-president cannot post on Rikers’ Truth Social. Trump is terrified of going to jail, so that would probably prompt him to stop trying to derail the process.

A large fine will not stop Trump. An angry judge won’t stop Trump, but threatening to put him behind bars will.

are bad for Trump and seem to be getting worse.

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