Justice Merchan began by addressing the gag order violation allegations.
“Mr. Trump, as you know the prosecution has filed three separate motions asking this court to fine you in contempt,” Justice Merchan said.
He said he has found President Trump violated his gag order a tenth time.
“It appears that the $1,000 fines are not serving as a deterrent. Therefore, going forward this court will have to consider a jail sanction,” he said. “Mr. Trump, it is important you understand the last thing I want to do is put you in jail.”
“You are the former president of the United States and a current candidate for president. I also worry about the people who would have to carry out such a sentence, the court officers, the secret service. At the end of the day, I have a job to do, and part of that job is to protect the dignity of the judicial system,” the judge said.
Justice Merchan said President Trump’s continued violations of the gag order “constitute a direct attack on the rule of law.”
“I cannot allow that to continue,” he said. “As much as I do not want to impose a jail sanction, and I have done everything that I can to avoid doing so, I want you to understand that I will if necessary.”