Before summoning the jury on Monday, Justice Juan Merchan directly addressed the defendant, whom he called “Mr.” and not President Trump.
In a measured and by-the-book tone that showed no hint of his exasperation, Merchan told Donald Trump that he had now found him in contempt of court on a 10th charge.
Each carries a $1,000 fine, the most allowed by New York State law.
“The magnitude of that decision is not lost on me,” Merchan said.
“But at the end of the day, I have a job to do.” Trump’s offenses, he noted calmly, represented “a direct attack on the rule of law, and I cannot allow that to continue.”
Persons:
Juan Merchan, ”, Trump, Merchan, Donald Trump, ” Merchan, jailing Trump
Organizations:
New York, Secret
Locations:
New York State, United States