Judge Juan Merchan, who is presiding over the NY v. Trump trial, lamented not being able to fine the former president more than $1,000 per violation of his gag order.
The judge presiding over the NY v. Trump trial in Manhattan lamented not being able to fine former President Trump more than $1,000 for each violation of his gag order amid the trial.
Judge Juan Merchan fined Trump $9,000 Tuesday morning for violating a gag order that bans him from speaking publicly about witnesses and family members of court officials. The judge found he violated the order on nine separate occasions, with each violation resulting in a $1,000 fine.
The judge detailed in the order that if Trump carries out „continued willful violations“ of the gag order, he could face „incarceratory punishment“ if „necessary and appropriate.“
In the text of his order, Merchan lamented that the fines‘ costs „unfortunately will not achieve the desired result in those instances where the contemnor can easily afford such a fine.
