'Disgusting': Prosecution slammed for seeking to jail Trump over social media posts in hush money case

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has taken a firm stance against former President Donald Trump, pushing for what he deems as the "maximum fine" for purported violations of a gag order in his hush money criminal case.

The development emerged on Tuesday, April 16, as prosecutors filed a brief contending that Trump should be held in contempt for purportedly breaching the gag order, which was imposed last March by Judge Juan Merchan.

Prosecutors seek maximum financial penalty for each post of Donald Trump that violates the gag order

The legal maneuvering revolves around Trump's social media posts, which prosecutors argue contravene the restrictions laid out in the gag order.

Documents accompanying the brief indicate that prosecutors are advocating for the maximum financial penalty for each post deemed to violate the order, amounting to $1,000 per instance. Furthermore, prosecutors have suggested the imposition of a 30-day jail term for any subsequent breaches.

"Upon a finding of criminal contempt, the Judiciary Law authorizes a court to impose a fine not exceeding $1,000 or to sentence the contemnor to no more than 30 days jail or both, in the discretion of the court," read the brief.

With the onset of his hush money trial on Monday, Trump became the first former US president to be tried in a criminal case.

In March 2023, the ex-POTUS was indicted on charges of falsifying business records related to hush money payments made to Stormy Daniels during his 2016 presidential campaign. Daniels claimed to have had an affair with Trump in 2006, an assertion he vehemently denies.

Despite professing his innocence, Trump, who is also the presumptive 2024 Republican presidential nominee, has labeled the case as politically motivated.

The imposition of the gag order in March by Judge Merchan sought to curtail public statements from Trump concerning key witnesses, including Michael Cohen and Daniels, as well as their legal representatives and families.

It was extended to encompass Merchan's and Bragg's families after the ex-POTUS made contentious remarks regarding the former's daughter, Loren Merchan.

In response to the prosecution's motion to sanction Trump for his alleged social media transgressions, legal experts have weighed in on the matter.

Joyce Vance, a former US attorney, underscored the gravity of Trump's actions, suggesting they may constitute a breach of the gag order.

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), she posted, "There is a gag order that prohibits Trump from making public statements about witnesses concerning their participation at trial. Questioning their credibility would seem to cross that line."

Similarly, Cohen, Trump's former lawyer turned critic and a pivotal witness in Bragg's case, questioned the tolerance for such behavior, writing, "When does enough become enough and the petulant man-child gets a time out in lockup for his bad behavior?"

Nevertheless, Trump's camp has vehemently contested the gag order, decrying it as an infringement on his First Amendment rights. Steven Cheung, the ex-POTUS' spokesperson, decried the restriction, asserting that it impedes Trump's ability to engage in essential political discourse.

He stated, "Judge Merchan's unconstitutional Gag Order prevents President Trump—the leading candidate for President of the United States—from engaging in core political speech, which is entitled to the highest level of protection under the First Amendment." 

Judge Merchan is scheduled to hear arguments regarding the alleged violations of the gag order on April 23, at 9.30 am, according to Newsweek.

Internet reacts to prosecution seeking to jail Donald Trump over social media posts in hush money case

One wrote, "Just plain nuts," and another noted, "Jail Trump and guarantee his election."

A person declared, "Election interference 101 big time." "Keep making sure Trump gets reelected. You’re doing great," chimed in someone else. 

An individual said, "This is not a trial, it is a witch hunt," echoing Trump himself. 

"Kangaroo court. This is completely disgusting," shared one more, while another person simply stated, "More desperation."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.