Former President Donald Trump is currently dealing with a legal battle involving 34 felony counts. These charges stem from allegations that he manipulated business records in order to conceal hush money payments made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. It is believed that these payments were made to hide an alleged affair during the final stages of the 2016 presidential campaign.
Trump is facing 34 felony charges stemming from allegations that he fabricated business documents to conceal hush money payments made to conceal an alleged romance with adult film actress Stormy Daniels during the final weeks of the 2016 presidential campaign.
“He could be looking at jail,” Weissmann stated in a CNN interview with Wolf Blitzer. “I believe the judge in this case will examine the rule of law and the treatment of others with similar criminal backgrounds.” I believe that Donald Trump’s pre-trial actions will be crucial in this case.”
Weissmann warned that Trump’s frequent attacks on the judge and his family could come back to hurt him. Judge Juan Merchan expanded a gag order in the case on Monday, prohibiting the former president from repeatedly attacking his daughter, Loren Merchan, a Democratic strategist.
The initial gag order already prohibited him from publicly speaking about witnesses, other prosecutors, court personnel, and their family members “if those statements are made with the intent to materially interfere with” the case.
If found guilty, the former prosecutor further predicted that Trump would not receive any special treatment during his punishment due to his conduct.
“If you have someone who’s contrite, if you have someone who shares that he’s respectful of the rule of law, that this was an aberration, that is something that the court can take into account,” the judge said.
“But if you think that the defendant is basically running basically as an outlaw and is basically thumbing his nose at the judicial process and shows no sign of remorse and essentially is a recidivist, those are factors that a judge can consider,” Weissmann said. “And I am confident that if a conviction is obtained, a judge such as Judge Merchan will take all of this into account. But it’s just too early to predict whether it would actually result in jail time.”
The trial begins on April 15, marking the first time a former president has faced criminal charges.
