The judge overseeing former President Donald Trump's criminal trial in New York has ordered the former leader to appear in court for a hearing regarding his alleged violations of a gag order. The judge has threatened to arrest and imprison the former president immediately if he does not show up.
Judge Juan Merchan of the New York State Supreme Court issued the order on April 25. He scheduled a hearing on May 1 to consider four claims that President Trump broke a gag order.
The judge warned that failing to show up for court may lead to an instant arrest and jail for contempt of court.
President Trump may spend up to 30 days in jail if it is determined that he broke the gag order, in addition to the possibility of jail time for skipping the hearing.
There is also a $1,000 potential penalties for each incidence of the gag order violation.
The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the possible arrest and detention of its representatives.
President Trump has previously said that it would be a "great honor" to go to prison for breaking the gag order. He is now on trial for allegedly fabricating 34 company documents as part of a plot to stifle critical news reports before to the 2016 election.
"I will gladly become a Modern Day Nelson Mandela - It will be my GREAT HONOR if this Partisan Hack wants to put me in the 'clink' for speaking the open and obvious TRUTH," President Trump wrote on social media.
The office of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg made allegations that President Trump had broken his gag order at least ten times in social media postings when the former president's trial got underway last week.
On April 23, Judge Merchan heard arguments on Mr. Bragg's claims and said he would hold off on making a judgment.
"President Trump is being very careful to comply with your order," Todd Blanche, the Trump lawyer, said to Judge Merchan at the time.
Judge Juan Merchan of the New York State Supreme Court issued the order on April 25. He scheduled a hearing on May 1 to consider four claims that President Trump broke a gag order.
The judge warned that failing to show up for court may lead to an instant arrest and jail for contempt of court.
President Trump may spend up to 30 days in jail if it is determined that he broke the gag order, in addition to the possibility of jail time for skipping the hearing.
There is also a $1,000 potential penalties for each incidence of the gag order violation.
The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the possible arrest and detention of its representatives.
President Trump has previously said that it would be a "great honor" to go to prison for breaking the gag order. He is now on trial for allegedly fabricating 34 company documents as part of a plot to stifle critical news reports before to the 2016 election.
"I will gladly become a Modern Day Nelson Mandela - It will be my GREAT HONOR if this Partisan Hack wants to put me in the 'clink' for speaking the open and obvious TRUTH," President Trump wrote on social media.
The office of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg made allegations that President Trump had broken his gag order at least ten times in social media postings when the former president's trial got underway last week.
On April 23, Judge Merchan heard arguments on Mr. Bragg's claims and said he would hold off on making a judgment.
"President Trump is being very careful to comply with your order," Todd Blanche, the Trump lawyer, said to Judge Merchan at the time.
