Judge Merchan "visibly annoyed" by Trump's courthouse entourage of Republican politicians
Source: Salon
Published May 15, 2024 2:40PM (EDT)
Donald Trump is no longer attending his hush money trial alone, now enjoying a growing crew of GOP hanger-ons who are helping him circumvent his gag order by acting as "surrogates" outside the courthouse. As Alternet notes, Trump's entourage may be pleasing to the former president, but it's now annoying Judge Juan Merchan.
CNN's Kaitlan Collins reported that Merchan was "visibly annoyed" by Trump's support group, which he appeared to view as disruptive to the proceedings.
"This judge does not give away much," she told Wolf Blitzer. "He has a very even tone. He greets Donald Trump with a 'Good morning, Mr. Trump' every single day that he walks inside the courtroom
but there was this moment where it was five or six people from Trump's team, and they get into the second row of the entire courtroom to sit in the pews, to listen to what's happening. And the judge stared straight at them as they were walking in."
The group of elected politicians, aides, and party officials have greeted Trump each morning, sat behind him during the trial proceedings, and given press conferences in which they have condemned the whole affair as political persecution. They have also attacked witnesses, the judge and his family.
Read more: https://www.salon.com/2024/05/15/merchan-was-visibly-annoyed-by-courthouse-entourage-of-politicians/
C_U_L8R
(45,075 posts)This sneaky crap ought to put him in the courthouse jail. Merchan should summon Trump to the stand to personally explain himself.
I know you are but what am I. I know you are but what am I. I know you are but what am I. I know you are but what am I.
Enough.
erronis
(15,711 posts)the dolt doesn't have enough neurons to rub together to make a synapse.
Everything he does is scripted. What he says is blabber but nobody thinks that's unusual.
Even his heart-throb Hitler (or Stalin/Putin) were somewhat coherent during their rants.
Hannibal Lecter, Sinatra, Hot-dog named frank
bluestarone
(17,288 posts)What if picture of the jurists are released? I see a mistrial coming. Gotta be away to STOP this bullshit. They ALL need to be STOPPED at the front door. NOT allowed in.
70sEraVet
(3,613 posts)The cheerleaders can do their routines in the streets!
bluestarone
(17,288 posts)HUGE penalties if these assholes refuse the judges rules.
onenote
(43,111 posts)They can be used elsewhere in the courthouse.
bluestarone
(17,288 posts)If the judge has the option it should be NO PHONES, PERIOD! If not, The judge could close the court to all visitors? These people will do anything for MISTRIAL.
onenote
(43,111 posts)Both the US Supreme Court and the NY Court of Appeals have reversed convictions where the courtroom has been closed to spectators.
creeksneakers2
(7,498 posts)if sentencing time comes.
Traurigkeit
(811 posts)InstantGratification
(187 posts)This is a white collar crime, there is no way the sentences will ever run consecutively. The max sentence is 4 years. Since Trump has no state or federal felonies convictions on his record, he is a first time offender under the sentencing guidelines. It's quite possible he walks out of there with a year or even less. As much as I would like to see two years out of it, I doubt that will happen.
As I've commented several times before, the biggest effect from a conviction here might be that he will no longer be a first time offender if convicted at any of the other trials.
Traurigkeit
(811 posts)Hassin Bin Sober
(26,405 posts)InstantGratification
(187 posts)But we are in uncharted waters with incarcerating a secret service protectee. He might or might not go to Rikers, but wherever it is, he will be segregated from the general pop so that the secret service can control access to him.
creeksneakers2
(7,498 posts)InstantGratification
(187 posts)That doesn't mean, he would actually be sent there. Like I said, even if he was sent there, it wouldn't be general pop, it would be isolated where secret service could control access to him. If you think about it, that is in line with the mayor's comment. Rikers is ready to hold him doesn't mean it would be done under the same conditions as normal prisoners.
Traurigkeit
(811 posts)Hate to be the Secret Service detail.
Orange boy has to spend 22 1/2 hours in cell
Secret Service agents gonna get real bored.
creeksneakers2
(7,498 posts)The hole would serve that purpose well.
Traurigkeit
(811 posts)Not even in the same state.
NanaCat
(2,087 posts)Because that would be news to the rest of us. Are you making the mistake of thinking the Carroll case was a conviction, when it was a civil, not criminal, case?
I want him in jail as much as anyone, but I'm not willing to make up something that isn't so, just to put him there.
But if you have evidence that he's had a felony conviction in the past, then by all means, present it now.
Traurigkeit
(811 posts)TSF personality negates 'first time offender' to 'first time caught'
berksdem
(613 posts)but that is not how the law works.
Traurigkeit
(811 posts)creeksneakers2
(7,498 posts)And straight to the clink too. No out while on appeal. He's a public danger so bail should not be allowed.
Mark.b2
(299 posts)Igel
(35,443 posts)Denunciations outside the courthouse, then protestors and advocates file in and occupy part of the visitor gallery.
Sometimes it's the court and the system that's denounced, suspicions of the jurors, even cries that they should do something to hurt the defense lawyers because the American way (I guess) is to deny disliked defendants (legal) representation.
Pressure on a judge, from either side, to be biased in reading the law is wrong. It's already bad enough that every judge brings a bias to the law and how to read it, and worse some think that in our democracy it's okay to rely less on the text of the way to provide meaning and guidance to the resolution and more on the "correct" resolution to to provide meaning and guidance as to what the text has to be interpreted to mean, in essence rewriting the legislative history from the people's house and Senate by an oligarchy.
bluestarone
(17,288 posts)Last edited Wed May 15, 2024, 08:08 PM - Edit history (1)
With this trial? Edit to add, Is it even possible that the judge could order virtual hearing?
Sedona
(3,774 posts)Right?
bluestarone
(17,288 posts)AllaN01Bear
(19,431 posts)onenote
(43,111 posts)Both the US Supreme Court and the NY Court of Appeals have reversed convictions where the judge excluded some or all spectators.
bluestarone
(17,288 posts)What are his options?
onenote
(43,111 posts)It's a very high bar. If only one juror complained, the judge might decide to replace that juror with an alternate.
bluestarone
(17,288 posts)Someone of these assholes taking a picture. Getting their names and pictures out there for the Cultists to threatening purposes.
onenote
(43,111 posts)for someone to take a photo of the jury without being noticed. Sure, someone might surreptitiously send a text or post something on social media, but taking a photo -- unlikely. The trial has been going for over three weeks and there are no reports of photos being taken or distributed.
bluestarone
(17,288 posts)I honestly feel they could disrupt the court, with the intent of getting some pictures taken without being noticed.
PoindexterOglethorpe
(25,958 posts)Bo Zarts
(25,426 posts)Mob henchmen. Uniformed (dark gray suits and red ties) witness intimidators. And Michael Cohen, who more than anyone understands mob ways, was the witness. What a pathetic loser display by team Trump. The whole charade protects Cohen and further weakens the limp-dick Trump.
wnylib
(22,069 posts)to find out if Trump requested or pressured those people to act as surrogates?
They would all deny it if course, but could prosecutors investigate phone calls, texts, etc. to see if they are being truthful?
If they were all proven to commit perjury, how would that affect their standing as legislators? A MAGA House would not take any action against them, but if we gain House seats in November, they could be held accountable.
Irish_Dem
(49,836 posts)He wants the trial over.
onenote
(43,111 posts)The court would then have to hold a hearing, take testimony from witnesses on both sides and then would have to find that the evidence established that Trump had directed the "surrogates" to make statements that would violate the gag order if made by Trump. This would be a time-consuming and uncertain mini-trial that would slow down the trial and the prosecution simply will not file a motion -- their focus, as it should be, is on the trial and obtaining a conviction.
wnylib
(22,069 posts)of Congressional presence is a delay tactic.
onenote
(43,111 posts)The prosecution isnt going to make an issue of it.
wnylib
(22,069 posts)response that would be a delay.
Plus campaign theatrics and a chance to circumvent the gag order.
2naSalit
(87,440 posts)I can't imagine watching that and not bursting out in hysterical laughter. But that's just me.
twodogsbarking
(10,179 posts)bucolic_frolic
(43,844 posts)ancianita
(36,354 posts)It's possible that
1. Juan Merchan can JUDGE that the court of public opinion being held outside his Manhattan court is toxic or affecting the climate of the proceedings, and limit attendance to press and family;
2. Any member of the jury who complains to Judge Merchan that they feel negatively affected by politicians' presence in the court, can be protected by Merchan who can, again, limit attendance to the press and family members.
onenote
(43,111 posts)The US Supreme Court and the NY Court of Appeals have reversed convictions for violating a defendant's Sixth Amendment right to a public trial. Judge Merchan isn't going to hand Trump a grounds for appeal by barring spectators who are not being disruptive.
Novara
(5,918 posts)I thought I had read of trials where the number of seats were limited. Some even chose spectators by lottery. Can't Merchan do that? I mean, if they thought they weren't going to get in because it's a lottery, then maybe they'd STOP WASTING TAXPAYER MONEY traveling to the circus.
And yeah, the Dems need to look into this waste of taxpayer money. I don't pay taxes so these clowns can travel to New York to support an insurrectionist, classified info-stealing, philandering criminal at a fucking felony trial.
onenote
(43,111 posts)For unreserved spectators, there already is only space for around 9 or 10 after the reporters are allowed in.
He has no basis for excluding particular attendees if they're not being disruptive in the courtroom.
bringthePaine
(1,771 posts)slightlv
(3,013 posts)they are acting like an unruly, criminal gang. Doesn't NY have statutes to deal with gangs? I think I remember a dustup a while back (maybe while Rudy was still mayor), about the ways they were treating gangs. I don't see why that can't be deployed here.
Also, if I were the Judge (if ONLY!), I'd amend that gag order. It already states no surrogates coached by trump can violate the gag order. I think that needs to be locked down a bit more, for juror safety and protection of the case. I also thought ALL phones had to be turned in prior to entering the courtroom. Why do they get to keep theirs?
At the very bare minimum, the Judge should (first) warn about disrupting the court, by streaming in after everyone else has been seated. The second time they do it, they should be given contempt of court charges. They'll scream bloody murder, but what the crap? They're doing that already. These traitors keep pushing the lines and we keep letting them slip by without doing anything. Every parent in the world knows you have to set a line that you do not cross, and then backup your words with action. These malcontent children evidently missed out on that aspect of growing up. They need to be taught some respect. And I'm getting damned tired of their antics.
onenote
(43,111 posts)slightlv
(3,013 posts)They're acting like the only thing a phone does is facilitate vocal conversation. But with phone cameras as good as they are today, that's a danger to the jury that ought to be addressed. I remember there were plenty of meetings, workshops, etc., where we had to leave our phones at the front when I was in the DoD. They were seen as a security risk in any number of ways. The same should apply to our courtrooms.
onenote
(43,111 posts)prohibit them from being used.
It may be the case that the rule is out of date. But if we're going to argue that Trump should be treated like other criminal defendants, then we have to accept that those attending his trial can keep their phones if they keep them turned off.
Raven123
(5,051 posts)Traurigkeit
(811 posts)AllaN01Bear
(19,431 posts)ananda
(28,977 posts)Doesn't he have that discretion?
onenote
(43,111 posts)See post #31. Closing the courtroom to non-disruptive spectators would give Trump grounds for appeal.
KY_EnviroGuy
(14,517 posts)one would think that with such a high profile trial, there would be many dozens of everyday citizens wanting to sit in just for experiencing such a historical event and perhaps even waiting in line for a chance. I would also think there would be dozens of additional press people from around the world that would love to sit in.
So, if that's true, how is this bunch able to get in so readily and even appear to also get priority seating?
onenote
(43,111 posts)There is an overflow room that holds another 30 or so. The front two rows, behind the tables at which Trump and his principal counsel and the prosecution's principal lawyer sit, are reserved for the defense and prosecution or security personnel such as the Secret Service. Presumably the members of Congress sitting in the first couple of rows behind Trump are sitting in seats reserved by the defense. There are, I believe, 7 additional rows, but the back row is also generally reserved or blocked off and seats next to the middle aisle have been roped off. Around 65 reporters and a handful of members of the public typically fewer than 10 fill the rest of the main courtroom.
KY_EnviroGuy
(14,517 posts)n/t
tonekat
(1,848 posts)By a clown car of dressed-alike cult elders.
Wednesdays
(17,624 posts)Oh my. How can they possibly endure THAT?
AdamGG
(1,312 posts)at sentencing.
onenote
(43,111 posts)MFM008
(19,862 posts)Of witness and jury
Intimidation .
onenote
(43,111 posts)And unless a witness or juror complains that they actually are intimidated, there is no constitutionally permissible basis for excluding non-disruptive spectators at a trial.
Trials take place with nasty people as witnesses all the time -- probably far more "intimidating" than Tommy Tuberville
no_hypocrisy
(46,540 posts)Ivanka sitting with spectators, crying into her initialed handkerchief, looking up at the judge with watery eyes.
FeelingBlue
(697 posts)As each one is searched for entering the courthouse, an officer of the court could hand him/her a subpoena seeking testimony regarding communication with Trump. Clearly, he is in violation of the gag order, expressing contempt of court by means of his dummies. You are being served, might make the dummies think twice about entering court.
onenote
(43,111 posts)If its so clear that he has directed people to say things he can't say -- as opposed to those folks figuring out on their own that they can say these things -- why hasn't the prosecution complained? Because they know that the standard for finding a violation is "beyond a reasonable doubt" and that wasting time having a mini-trial would be an unnecessary distraction. Their focus is, and we should be happy about this, on trying the case, not a sideshow.
obamanut2012
(26,287 posts)samsingh
(17,623 posts)Justice matters.
(6,988 posts)My dog, some quite hypocritical fundamentalists there...
Martin68
(23,216 posts)CarolinaNC
(93 posts)Rhiannon12866
(208,465 posts)republianmushroom
(14,355 posts)will be the one to sentence on him for his crimes.
Novara
(5,918 posts)... of their comments outside the courtroom. So if he is directing them in any way, that is a clear violation of the gag order.
Throw his diseased ass in jail.
onenote
(43,111 posts)Last edited Sat May 18, 2024, 11:44 AM - Edit history (1)
And to subject himself to cross examination by defense counsel. I'm not holding my breath.
The reporter's claim that he could read the exact words on a note written by Trump and passed to his attorney is dubious. A photo of the courtroom set up shows why:
https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2024/05/14/trump-trial-lawyers-mistakes-00157734
Reporters are seated behind the first two rows, and those rows are behind the section where Trump sits.