(TruthAndLiberty.com) – Jim Schultz, a former White House ethics lawyer, expressed concerns that a New York judge would view former President Trump’s recent social media behavior as a breach of the gag order in his ongoing hush money case. Speaking with Sara Sidner on CNN News Central, Schultz noted that Trump’s posts, which quoted others referring to the jurors, could be seen as a violation.
“He’s referencing the jurors by pushing out statements from others,” Schultz said. “But ultimately, it still applies to him, right?”
Schultz anticipated that the judge might see this as a violation of the gag order and warned of continued legal challenges. “The judge might impose fines or reprimands, but likely won’t resort to jail,” he added. “This trial will continue, and we’ll still see Trump commenting on platforms like Truth Social.”
This commentary follows Trump’s indirect criticism of potential jurors on Wednesday, quoting Fox News host Jesse Watters, despite a gag order that prohibits public statements about jurors. Trump had reposted Watters’ comment: “They are catching undercover Liberal Activists lying to the Judge in order to get on the Trump Jury.”
Legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin also suggested earlier in the week that Trump’s actions seemed designed to intimidate jurors, clearly contravening the gag order. “Trump appears not to understand that his rights as a criminal defendant are more restricted than those of a private citizen,” Toobin pointed out. “Interfering in the trial process, especially under a gag order, is simply not allowed.”
The trial, which is the first criminal trial of a sitting or former U.S. president, began on Monday with jury selection concluding by Friday. The trial will proceed this week.
The allegations center on Trump falsifying business records to obscure a hush money payment to an adult film actress, allegedly to prevent disclosure of an affair before the 2016 election. Trump has pleaded not guilty to these charges.
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