Former President Donald Trump is facing further accusations of violating a gag order in his criminal trial, with prosecutors alleging seven additional instances on top of the three violations previously alleged. The gag order, imposed by Judge Juan Merchan, prohibits Trump from speaking publicly about various parties involved in the case, including potential witnesses, jurors, counsel, and court staff. Violating the gag order can result in fines of up to $1,000 per offense, up to 30 days in prison, or a combination of both. Prosecutors have requested a $3,000 fine for the initial three violations and have warned Trump that further violations could lead to additional fines or even imprisonment.
Under New York law, Trump could face fines and/or imprisonment for disrupting the trial through disorderly behavior or attempting to interrupt proceedings. As a criminal defendant, he is required to attend the trial unless explicitly excused, with potential consequences including immediate arrest and imprisonment for contempt of court. A hearing is scheduled for next week to address the alleged gag order violations and determine the sanctions Trump may face. The trial is progressing with jury selection expected to conclude soon, followed by opening statements and approximately six weeks of proceedings.
If convicted in the case, Trump could face prison time for each of the 34 felony counts of falsification of business records, carrying a maximum penalty of four years in prison and a $5,000 fine. Legal experts have speculated on the possibility of Trump receiving a prison sentence, despite being a first-time offender, as approximately 10% of similar cases resulted in imprisonment. Trump has pleaded not guilty to the charges, calling the case a “witch hunt” and strongly objecting to the gag order. His attorneys argue that his posts do not violate the order as they relate to his presidential campaign or reposting other users’ comments.
The indictment against Trump stems from reimbursement payments made to his ex-attorney Michael Cohen, who paid Stormy Daniels $130,000 before the 2016 election to cover up her alleged affair with Trump. Trump reimbursed Cohen $420,000 through the Trump Organization, falsely labeling the payments as legal expenses. The gag order was initially imposed in March and expanded to include family members after Trump attacked the judge’s daughter on social media. Trump has faced previous gag orders in other cases, resulting in fines, and has voiced opposition to attending the trial, citing other commitments such as Supreme Court arguments and his son’s graduation. The judge has yet to make a final ruling on these requests.
