A judge has warned Donald Trump that further violations of a gag order in his New York hush-money trial could result in jail time, after holding the former president in contempt for the tenth time. Justice Juan Merchan fined Mr Trump $1,000 for each of nine previous breaches, but said the penalty had not served as a deterrent.
"Going forward this court will have to consider a jail sanction," the judge said, adding that he had a duty to protect the dignity of the judicial system. Mr Trump showed little reaction in court but later called the gag order "disgraceful" and said he would sacrifice his freedom for the Constitution.
The contempt ruling relates to social media posts in which Mr Trump suggested the jury was unfair because the area is "95 per cent Democrat". Justice Merchan wrote that the defendant had called into question the integrity of the proceedings and raised fears for jurors' safety.
Defence lawyer Todd Blanche argued the gag order was unfair, noting that others could speak freely about the case. But the judge countered that Mr Trump, as a defendant, was subject to restrictions. Mr Trump has pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records to conceal a payment to a porn actress.
The threat of imprisonment would be a historic first for a former US president, posing significant security challenges given his entitlement to lifelong Secret Service protection. The New York Department of Corrections said it would find appropriate arrangements if necessary.
