For the past several days, Donald Trump's allies have made statements that, if Trump had made them, would have clearly violated the gag order placed on the former president by Judge Juan Merchan.
Trump is prevented from attacking the witnesses, the judge's family, and the jury. In the last several days, however, Republican officials visiting Trump have done it all.
Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), for instance, appeared to attack the jury pool in the court by implying that they weren't legitimate Americans.
"I am disappointed in looking at the American citizens— the supposedly American citizens in that courtroom," Tuberville said.
Speaking to the press outside the courtroom last week, Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) attacked the judge's daughter.
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Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) appeared in court with Trump on Monday, and while outside speaking to the press he attacked Michael Cohen, the witness on the stand. He also posted attacks on the social media site X.
"The president is expected to sit here for six weeks to listen to the Michael Cohens of the world. I’m now convinced the main goal of this trial is psychological torture," said Vance. He later attacked Cohen for recording his conversation with Trump, which is not illegal in the state of New York.
As defense attorney Jeff Jacobovitz pointed out during an appearance on MSNBC, Judge Merchan could use these attacks by Trump allies as a basis to call a hearing to determine if Trump coordinated any of the attacks with him.
"I saw basically the U.S. Congress walking into the courtroom to be there for Donald Trump — not the whole U.S. Congress, obviously," Jacobovitz told MSNBC. "But we have the gag order that was just approved by the appellate court, and if Trump is feeding any of these congressmen or senators information to talk about, that violates the gag order."
He explained that Judge Juan Merchan would want to know the specifics "and may have a hearing on it, and it could violate other gag orders in other cases that are pending now. And, so, that's a serious thing, and the court of appeals decision is something that has to be taken seriously."
Watch the video below or at this link.
Judge may hold hearing on whether Trump is directing officials to break gag order: expert www.youtube.com
