Trump hush-money judge’s latest gag order is retaliation — and could lead to even more delays: Analysis

Left: Judge Juan Merchan poses for a picture in his chambers in New York, Thursday, March 14, 2024. Merchan is presiding over Donald Trump’s hush money case in New York (AP Photo/Seth Wenig). Right: FILE - Former President Donald Trump is escorted to a courtroom, April 4, 2023, in New York (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File).

Left: Judge Juan Merchan poses for a picture in his chambers in New York, Thursday, March 14, 2024. Merchan is presiding over Donald Trump’s hush money case in New York (AP Photo/Seth Wenig). Right: FILE – Former President Donald Trump is escorted to a courtroom, April 4, 2023, in New York (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File).

After much anticipation and a hearing that did not go well for the defense, Donald Trump’s hush-money trial judge formally held the former president in criminal contempt for nine Truth Social and campaign website posts that violated a gag order and warned that if the post or “reposting” spree continues, the defendant’s next stop could be jail.

Acting New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan noted at the outset of his decision and order that Trump “does not dispute that he either posted or reposted” the statements. But the judge notably denied the Trump team’s claims that the violations were not willful, including a pointed rejection of their retweets do not equal endorsements style of argument.

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