Gagging Trump
Judge Merchan appears to be boxed in. On the one hand, fining Trump $1,000 for violating the gag order is obviously not going to be effective. On the other hand, sending Trump to jail would make him a martyr to some, and may not even be effective, since Trump would appeal any order sending him to the hoosegow. What’s a trial judge to do?
Well, one possibility is to ban Trump from Truth Social (or from social media generally). Sure, Trump could still threaten jurors and witnesses at his rallies, but my sense is that Truth Social is the main way he gets his message out. (His rallies this spring have been so boring they don’t get much press coverage. Don’t take my word for it, listen to one yourself.)
I’m not sure why this doesn’t seem to be on the table. Maybe it raises first amendment issues, but I assume Trump wouldn’t be posting freely from prison. If Merchan can put Trump in jail, he should be able to take the lesser step of banning him from Truth Social.
Or – even better – why not sentence Trump to house arrest at Trump Tower? This would go a long way to avoiding the martyr problem – there is a limit to how bad anyone will feel for a guy living in an 30,000 11,000 square foot apartment with a golden toilet. And if he is under house arrest – in lieu of prison – it should be easier to ban him from social media as well.
I’m too lazy to research any of this, but interested if someone has a more informed take. Maybe a bit of creative thinking can get Merchan out of his box . . .
Eric:
You must have read that somewhere. But then, you are typically on to things that take me a while. We don’t want to jail him. It would martyr him. Although exposing him to a level 2 prison general population could cure the meanness in him. He would find out he base he really is.
House arrest could work. Just make it jail-like. No cell phone. Limited TV. No McDonalds. Limited numbers of visitors and visits can only happen with a guard present during visitor hours. Catered food similar to what a prison would serve. If he violates the rules, you cut back on visits and TV.
He is no one special and should be treated like the rest of us are treated.
“He is no one special and should be treated like the rest of us are treated.”
This statement is patently false.
1. He is a former President of the United States.
2. He is running for the Office of the President of the United States.
3. You are not in prison.
Joe:
No person is above the law whether he is rich or not or a politician. He was no president. His former status means nothing as he is now a citizen like you and I. He has broken the law and the only way he escapes what a regular citizen would face is his status and money. Take it away and watch him blubber.
As to your last comment? Have you be in a prison? Can’t say I was imprisoned; but I have been in every prison up to a level 4. I was also a prisoner chaser for the Marine Corps.
He should be imprisoned got his actions on January 6th.
Get back to me you show that kind of deference to Obama
It should be hog-chained to its’ knees at Gitmo, black bag over its’ head
Yes, it. It isn’t human, it is less than human …
What this jumble of words fails to cover is the fact that DA Bragg is attempting to use a novel law theory to elevate a misdemeanor state charge into a federal felony (the same one the feds declined to prosecute). There is no interest in holding anyone to account. This is 100% lawfare designed to remove the next president from contention. The author, and Bill from the comments, clearly have know idea how the prison ecosystem operates as they seem to think Trump would have something to fear being incarcerated other than missing a rally or two.
jerod:
Tell me about prisons. Take all the time you need.
PS: trumpie thrives on attention. Take it away from him along with all social media and he will wilt. When you go to a level four prison, are you allowed to get a TV? What does it look like? How big is it?
He does not have to go to a level 4 although he would learn a lot about how low he can be on the totem pole.
It is only fair that Trump be effectively gagged. He has been gagging me for years.
The other problem is like a law school exam question: is the contempt civil or criminal? If criminal, Judge Marchan can’t impose it himself. It has to be tried before a separate judge and jury. I’ll let those of you who are interested go research that question.
Jack:
Thank you for also commenting. I still like my solution.
Jack:
“Is the contempt civil or criminal? If criminal, Judge Marchan can’t impose it himself.”
That is problematic as trump has taken liberties which many of us could not afford($), risk, or are allowed to do. He needs to be shown he is no longer a president and is now a citizen like the rest of us. He believes he does not have to act in a civil manner.
For the rest of the crowd here, Jack is correct. We have talked numerous times on the subject of what the law says and how it is interpreted. It is problematic as the law is applied differently dependent on who you are, how much money is backing you, and who represents you. One has to wonder, what his attorneys are thinking at the end of the day, A long hot shower will not remove the relationship. Is it really worth, “I am the attorney who got trump off the hook?” Can one separate themselves from such a stigma?
Easiest way to keep Trump in line would be for the judge to sentence him to house arrest at Trump tower the weekend after he violates the gag order. Trump needs to campaign on the weekends and even the trumpers would have a hard time feeling sorry for him being sent to his 10,000 square foot mini-mansion
Tom:
Here is what Jack (in the same thread had to say about confining trump to his abode and gold toilet. He would know. It is a great thought though!
“The other problem is like a law school exam question: is the contempt civil or criminal? If criminal, Judge Marchan can’t impose it himself. It has to be tried before a separate judge and jury.”