Former President Donald Trump can proceed exhibiting up for his prison trial in Manhattan — or, doubtlessly, go straight to jail.
That was Choose Juan Merchan’s warning to the Republican candidate on Monday, NBC Information reported, as jury choice continues in a case the place prosecutors allege Trump conspired to falsify enterprise information, masking up a $130,000 cost to grownup movie star Stormy Daniels on the eve of the 2016 election.
As NBC Information famous, the warning is a typical reminder for prison defendants. However it’s the first time the warning has ever been delivered to a former U.S. president.
Katie Phang, a authorized analyst with MSNBC, reported that Trump acknowledged his proper and duty to attend the trial in an trade with Merchan (who he has repeatedly attacked on Reality Social). Trump additionally promised to behave himself.
“In the event you disrupt the proceedings, you will be excluded from the courtroom and dedicated to jail based mostly in your conduct and the trial will proceed on in your absence,” Merchan advised Trump, per a transcript that Phang posted on X. “If you don’t present up, there can be an arrest,” the decide continued. “Do you perceive?”
“I do,” Trump responded.