This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-us-canada-68955286

The article has changed 34 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Trump trial live: Judge warns the former president risks jail over gag order violations - BBC News Trump trial live: Judge warns the former president risks jail over gag order violations - BBC News
(32 minutes later)
Nada Tawfik Madeline Halpert
Reporting from New York Reporting from court
As we heard, the judge issued his strongest warning to Donald Trump that jail is on the table after he ruled that he willfully violated the gag order for the tenth time. The evidence we’re seeing now is crucial to the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office’s case because it connects Trump directly to the hush-money payment and a reimbursement to former Trump attorney Michael Cohen.
In Judge Merchan’s written ruling, he said Trump was held in contempt because he made public statements about the jury and how it was selected. Remember that hush-money payments themselves are not illegal. But the DA’s office alleges that Trump falsified business records when he allegedly classified a reimbursement to Cohen as “legal expenses”.
He said: “In doing so, the defendant not only called into question the integrity, and therefore the legitimacy of these proceedings, but again raised the specter of fear for the safety of the jurors and of their loved ones.” We’re seeing that reimbursement plan being laid out on documents stamped with the Trump Organization seal right now.
The judge said that constituted a direct attack on the rule of law.
But it’s important to note that the judge has said multiple times that the gag order is meant to be a shield and not a sword to be used by Trump’s opponents. On one, former Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg details plans to reimburse Cohen on a monthly basis with funds from Trump’s personal account, McConney is explaining.
Therefore, in relation to posts that relate to calling Michael Cohen a liar, the judge said he couldn’t find beyond a reasonable doubt that Trump’s statements were not protected political speech made in reference to political attacks by Cohen.
FacebookFacebook
TwitterTwitter
ShareView more share optionsShare this postCopy this linkRead more about these links.ShareView more share optionsShare this postCopy this linkRead more about these links.
Copy this linkCopy this link