Former President Donald Trump was again fined for violating a gag order issued before his criminal trial resumed in New York on Monday.
What Happened: Merchan fined Trump $1,000 in one of four alleged violations, as reported by NBC News.
The fine follows the previous nine penalties of $1,000 each by Merchan for violating the gag order.
"His continued willful violations of this Court's orders threaten the administration of justice and constitute a direct attack on the rule of law. I cannot allow this to continue," Merchan said of Trump.
Merchan said he doesn't want to put Trump in jail for gag order violations, but will if necessary.
"It appears that the $1,000 fines are not serving as a deterrent," Merchan said. "The last thing I want to do is to put you in jail. You are the former president of the United States, and possibly the next president as well. There are many reasons why incarceration is truly a last resort for you."
Merchan said he doesn't want to "propose a jail sanction."
"I will, if necessary,” he added.
Related Link: Trump Committed ‘Conspiracy To Undermine The Integrity Of A Presidential Election,’ Prosecution Alleges In Hush Money Trial
Why It's Important: Trump is the Republican Party’s presumptive nominee for the 2024 presidential election.
He’s also the first U.S. president to face a criminal trial.
Trump faces charges that he falsified business records to conceal money paid to silence porn star Stormy Daniels in 2016.
Even before the trial began on April 15, Trump has lashed out at Merchan. On Monday, the candidate called the judge “totally conflicted.”
"It's a ridiculous case, I did nothing wrong,” Trump continued. “And yet the judge gags me and I'm not allowed to talk about, I guess his total conflict.”
Merchan expanded a gag order on Trump after the twice-impeached ex-president continued to mention the judge's daughter in his tirades.
Merchan's daughter has worked for a digital fundraising firm that has collaborated with Democrats in the past.
Key witnesses who have testified to date include former Trump aide Hope Hicks, Daniels’ former lawyer Keith Davidson, data specialist Doug Daus and media mogul David Pecker. The trial is expected to last six to eight weeks.
Daniels and former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen are expected to testify in the trial as well. Trump could also take the witness stand in the case.
Trump faces potential prison time of up to four years for each charge depending on the outcome of the jury trial and the judge's sentencing if found guilty.
Read Next: Trump To Appeal ‘Unconstitutional’ Gag Order, Fines: ‘I’m Not Allowed To Talk’
Image: Midjourney
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