New York County Judge Juan Merchan withheld a ruling Thursday morning about punishing former President Donald Trump a second time for allegedly violating his gag order.
Democrat Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg asked Merchan to punish Trump for four comments concerning Michael Cohen and David Pecker, the former publisher of the National Enquirer. Merchan is considering the request.
On a separate set of allegations, Merchan ruled Tuesday that Trump violated his gag order, holding him in criminal contempt and threatening him with jail time for any further infractions. Merchan fined Trump $9,000.
The gag order prevents Trump from making public comments about witnesses participating in the trial, counsel other than Bragg, “members of the court’s staff and the District Attorney’s staff, or … the family members of any counsel or staff member, if those statements are made with the intent to materially interfere with … counsel’s or staff’s work” on the case. It also encompasses prospective jurors.
