Here's how long Donald Trump could sit in jail if he breaches his gag order again

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Former President Donald Trump found himself embroiled in another legal entanglement on Monday, May 6, as Judge Juan Merchan held him in criminal contempt for repeatedly violating his hush money trial gag order.

The latest ruling marked the tenth instance of Trump breaching the court's order, resulting in a $1,000 fine.

Donald Trump's contemptuous comments

Trump's transgression occurred during an April 22 appearance on a conservative news program, where he criticized the trial's pace and questioned the fairness of the jury selection process.

On Real America’s Voice's 'Just the News No Noise', the ex-POTUS had said, "You know [the judge is] rushing the trial like crazy. Nobody’s ever seen a thing go like this. That jury was picked so fast — 95% Democrats. The area’s mostly all Democrat. You think of it as a — just a purely Democrat area. It’s a very unfair situation. That I can tell you."

Judge Merchan wrote that Trump's comments "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."

While the former president faced accusations of three additional violations, the court determined that only one warranted punishment.

How long could Donald Trump be jailed if he violates the gag order again?

Merchan had previously cautioned Trump that continued defiance of the gag order could result in jail time. This warning was reiterated on April 30 with Merchan stating his readiness to impose the penalty if necessary.

In his latest ruling, the judge issued a stern warning to Trump, writing, "Defendant is hereby put on notice that if appropriate and warranted, future violations of its lawful orders will be punishable by incarceration." He added that "monetary fines have not, and will not, suffice to deter Defendant from violating this Court’s lawful orders."

Although acknowledging the disruptive nature of incarcerating a former president during an ongoing trial, Merchan underscored his duty to uphold the law.

He mentioned, "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. At the end of the day, I have a job to do."

In his decision, Merchan noted that those found in criminal contempt could face a jail sentence "not exceeding 30 days," in addition to further fines, as per The Hill. 

Internet reacts as Judge Merchan holds Donald Trump in criminal contempt 

The judge's contemplation of potential jail time for Trump sparked backlash on social media, with some users denouncing it as unconstitutional and politically motivated.

One wrote, "This is so unconstitutional," and another remarked, "The Judge is scared."

"The judge needs to be arrested for willfully abusing his authority and knowingly denying the Constitutional rights of President Trump. The judge is a catalyst for federal election interference, knowingly breaking the law, knowingly taking a case he should have recused himself from, and continuing to do so daily. This s**t needs to stop," claimed a person. 

Someone else alleged, "Merchan isn’t really a judge so much as he is a democrat operative."

Trump's ongoing trial revolves around allegations of falsifying business records related to a $130,000 payment made to his former lawyer, Michael Cohen. Cohen claimed the payment was hush money to Stormy Daniels, who allegedly had an affair with Trump.

Key witnesses, including former Trump advisor Hope Hicks and National Enquirer publisher David Pecker, have already testified in the trial, with Daniels and Cohen expected to follow suit.

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