Judge Finds Trump in Contempt for Violating Gag Order

Judge Juan Merchan has found Trump in contempt for violating his gag order and has fined Trump $1,000 for each violation, CNN reports.

The New York Times says Merchan wrote that he would not tolerate continued violations of his orders and that if necessary and appropriate, he would “impose an incarceratory sentence.”

CNN notes Merchan lamented that Trump can’t be fined more: “While $1,000 may suffice in most instances to protect the dignity of the judicial system…it unfortunately will not achieve the desired result in those instances where the contemnor can easily afford such a fine.”

That’s why he said “jail may be a necessary punishment.”