Trump attacks judge seconds after court hearing into gag order violations
Seconds after Judge Juan Merchan closed a meeting into accusations that Donald Trump violated a gag order meant to protect jury members and witnesses in his hush money trial, the former president unleashed an attack on the judge.
After Trump walked out of the courtroom Tuesday, an all-caps post appeared on his Truth Social account hitting out at Merchan, who had ended the hearing without making a ruling.
Trump's post said Merchan was "highly conflicted, to put it mildly," and claimed he was presiding over a "kangaroo court."
Trump's argues that the gag order takes away his right to free speech. It was put in place to prevent Trump from potentially intimidating witnesses and jury members, though the judge is not included in the order — meaning the latest post is not a violation.
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"EVERYBODY IS ALLOWED TO TALK AND LIE ABOUT ME, BUT I AM NOT ALLOWED TO DEFEND MYSELF. THIS IS A KANGAROO COURT, AND THE JUDGE SHOULD RECUSE HIMSELF!" ranted the ex-president.
Prosecutors claim Trump has violated the gag order at least 10 times since the start of the trial last week. The judge could fine him $1,000 per violation, or even jail him for up to 30 days.