Posted on 04/30/2024 7:29:00 AM PDT by RoosterRedux
Judge Juan Merchan fined former President Donald Trump $9,000 Tuesday and held him in contempt for violating his gag order, warning he may impose jail time for future violations.
Merchan ordered Trump to remove the offending posts by 2:15 pm Tuesday and to pay the fine by May 3. He rejected Trump’s defense that he was simply engaging in political speech by responding to attacks by witnesses like Michael Cohen and Stormy Daniels, writing that the Court is “keenly aware of, and protective of, Defendant’s First Amendment rights, particularly given his candidacy for the office of President of the United States.” “It is critically important that Defendant’s legitimate free speech rights not be curtailed, that he be able to fully campaign for the office which he seeks and that he be able to respond and defend himself against political attacks,” Merchan wrote. “For that reason, this Court exercised discretion when it crafted the Expanded Order and delayed issuing it until the eve of trial.” However, Merchan warned Trump that he “will not tolerate continued willful violations of its lawful orders and that if necessary and appropriate under the circumstances, it will impose an incarceratory punishment.”
Prosecutors argued in court filings that Trump violated the order in 10 instances, arguing for the judge to impose the maximum $1,000 fine for each alleged violation. The gag order prevents Trump from making statements about witnesses, prosecutors other than the district attorney, court staff and jurors, along with family members of the staff, district attorney or judge.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailycaller.com ...
They are pulling SS protection from Trump.
Or they will dump him in solitary, and then Epstein.
The public response has been totally neutered by the obscene prosecutions of those on Jan 6.
Really “they” are pulling Secret Service? Who is “they”— because it has not happened and will not happen. What you are referring to is a “bill” in the House put in by an ebonic speaking moron former co-chair of the J6 Committee appointed by Natzi Pelousis of the 2 quart a day vodka dementia diagnosis.
Co-Chair with Liz cray cray Cheney. Bennie Thompson of mizzusippi— a real machine moron who can’t speak proper english, and is also guilty along with Cheney of destroying hearing evidence removing them from House records, such that Rep. Comer cannot get them. That’s who is going to “take away the Secret Service”? No, there is a law covering the coverage of former Presidents that overlaps Presidential candidate coverage.
What a bunch of horseshit!
Putin is no less evil than Biden/Barak.
It turns my stomach.
One would think that would fall under petitioning the government for a redress of grievances.
-PJ
.!.. ..!.
He does have a prissy sort of look, doesn’t he? Just sayin’.
Trump reminds me a little of Vinnie from “My Cousin Vinnie”. He may win this thing but it’s going to be a bumpy ride.
Obama’s/Biden’s Banana Republic has come to complete fruition. Well done MSM and Democrat voters!
An incredible number of liberals can be identified by common facial characteristics.
You already knew that person could not be conservative, despite the suit.
The Colombian cartel stooge and DNC Commie needs a short drop and a sudden stop.
Go away, Soros troll. You are violently Anti-American and a Xiden bootlicker.
Obviously, you are a huge admirer of this fake, corrupt, Colombian “judge” and his evil slut of a daughter.
Besides, what the hell does Putin have to do with this??
What happrn yo FREE SPEECH?
Ant-Israel goons have free speech!
democRATS have free speech!
No they aren’t pulling SS protection. That is absolutely incorrect. Don’t mean to be abrasive. But, I don’t want others to believe that statement.
Bennie Thompsan INTRODUCED a bill is all. That is a long way from actually pulling his protection during this trial.
“A source in Thompson’s office told Newsweek that the bill would affect anyone who is sentenced for a felony and would otherwise have Secret Service protection, adding: “Nobody should have special treatment, and that happens to include the former president.”
https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-bennie-thompson-secret-services-rfk-1892371
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.