Former President Donald Trump on Monday evening said that he is willing to go to jail after a New York judge threatened to incarcerate him for what he said are violations of his gag order.
On Monday morning, Judge Juan Merchan fined the former president for a 10th time but stipulated that he might jail the former president if the violations continue. The order prohibits the 45th president from commenting on witnesses, members of the jury, certain court staffers, and Judge Merchan’s family members.
“I have to watch every word I tell you people … because this judge has given me a gag order and said, ‘You’ll go to jail if you violate it,’” President Trump told reporters. “And frankly, you know what? Our Constitution is much more important than jail. It’s not even close. I’ll do that sacrifice any day.”
Prosecutors have indicated that they do not want Judge Merchan to jail the former president, saying in court filings that it would serve as a distraction in their trial.
But the judge said that $1,000 fines for gag order violations “are not serving as a deterrent,” adding: “Going forward, this court will have to consider a jail sanction.”
“Mr. Trump, it’s important to understand the last thing I want to do is put you in jail. You are the former president of the United States, and possibly the next one as well,” he said.
“So as much as I do not want to impose a jail sanction,” the judge added, “I want you to understand that I will, if necessary and appropriate. ”Prosecutors had argued that President Trump made four violations, but the judge only agreed with one. The only violation stems from an April 22 interview with television channel Real America’s Voice in which President Trump criticized the speed at which the jury was picked and claimed that it was likely stacked with Democrats, noting the jurisdiction in Manhattan.
Because President Trump still receives U.S. Secret Service protection, it’s not clear how agents would protect the former president if he is jailed.
A spokesperson for the Secret Service told The Epoch Times on Tuesday that it “must provide protection for current government leaders“ and ”former presidents and first ladies,” although its statement did not go into specifics.
