Judge Juan Merchan warned former President Donald Trump that he could end up behind bars if he continues to violate the gag order imposed on him. Merchan's comments were made in a ruling in which he found Trump violated the gag order for comments he made about the jury pool. Merchan found that three other comments made by Trump did not violate the order.
Merchan fined Trump an additional $1,000 but warned him that continued violations could result in jail time.
"Because this is now the tenth time that this Court has found Defendant in criminal contempt, spanning three separate motions, it is apparent that monetary fines have not, and will not, suffice to deter Defendant from violating this Court's lawful orders.
THEREFORE, Defendant is hereby put on notice that if appropriate and warranted, future violations of its lawful orders will be punishable by incarceration," Merchan wrote in a five-page ruling.
Merchan also spoke directly to Trump and reiterated that he would impose a jail sentence if he continued to violate the gag order.
"Mr. Trump, the last thing I want to do is put you in jail. You are the former president of the United States and possibly the next president as well," Merchan said.
"The magnitude of this decision is not lost on me, but at the end of the day, I have a job to do," Merchan continued. "So, as much as I don't want to impose a jail sanction. "
"I want you to understand that I will if necessary and appropriate," he added.