Judge Orders Trump To Be Schooled On How Not To Attack Witnesses
Former President Donald Trump has a nasty habit of attacking witnesses, so a judge has ordered the big man-baby to appear by video at a May 23 hearing in his Manhattan criminal case. Judge Juan Manuel Merchan set rules barring the one-term President from using evidence in the case to attack witnesses.
Via the Associated Press:
Judge Juan Manuel Merchan scheduled the hybrid hearing — the former President on a TV screen, his lawyers and prosecutors in court — to go over the restrictions with Trump and to make clear that he risks being held in contempt if he violates them.
The case is continuing in state court even as Trump’s lawyers seek to have it moved to federal court. U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein, who is considering the transfer request, issued an order this week setting paperwork deadlines and a hearing for late June.
Merchan, still in charge while that drama plays out, agreed to instruct Trump on the rules by video, rather than in person after a prosecutor reminded him last week that bringing Trump to court would present mammoth security and logistical challenges.
Trump’s April 4 arraignment, where he pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, attracted a crush of media and protesters, involved multiple street closures, extra security screenings and shut down non-Trump court business for an afternoon.