CNN analyst Mark Preston raised concerns about potential civil unrest across the country if former President Trump were to be jailed for violating a gag order in his hush money trial.
Preston, along with other panelists on CNN, discussed the possibility of Judge Juan Merchan placing Trump in a holding cell for defying the gag order, which prohibits him from publicly attacking witnesses, prosecutors, court staff, jurors, and the judge’s family.
Preston emphasized the political ramifications of such an action, suggesting that it could further inflame tensions and potentially benefit Trump politically. He cautioned against the Biden campaign’s desire to see Trump behind bars, as it could galvanize his supporters and spark civil unrest in certain cities.
CNN analyst Mark Preston (Credits: CNN)
The panelists highlighted the politicization of the case and Trump’s ability to leverage his legal battles for political gain. Trump’s surrender at a Fulton County Jail for his Georgia election interference case, which resulted in a widely circulated mug shot, has been emblematic of his defiance against legal scrutiny.
The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office sought to penalize Trump for his inflammatory social media posts about the hush money case, requesting fines for each post and warning of potential jail time for violating the gag order. Judge Merchan scheduled a hearing for April 23 to consider the prosecution’s request.
Donald J. Trump (Credits: Variety)
Upon arriving at the courthouse, Trump criticized the gag order, arguing that it infringed upon his constitutional right to free speech. Despite the order, Trump has engaged with reporters daily during the trial.
As of Thursday, the jury selection process had concluded, with 12 jurors and one alternate selected from a pool of nearly 100 individuals. The trial, focusing on the presumptive GOP presidential nominee, continues to draw attention and scrutiny.
