First, Judge Chutkan is a Federal Judge, and Second, “Criminal contempt” is a crime under New York Penal Code § 215.51.
NY Judge Holds Trump In Contempt For Attacking Witnesses, Threatens Jail - TPM – Talking Points Memo
Well…if the string holding the sword were to break…for ANY reason…the mob at that Courthouse would make Jan6 look like a church outing. It would take immense balls to jail the guy even though he’s way past due. I think the Judge is concerned with doing the right thing which in this trial’s case is to keep it from imploding.
This, the “lesser” of the trials he’s facing, seems to be degrading him nicely. Imagine what the big ones, with the potential for penalties that will really get his attention, will do.
Oh and by the way, (as he likes to say), there’s nothing left in that ugly melon of his. Too bad he’s not hooked up to a brain activity monitor while in court.
3 Likes
This I think is the real point. Of course, when push comes to shove, that’s assuming this famously impulsive loser can manage to think, even of his interests, that far ahead.
4 Likes
Prefer that if there is some action contemplated - that it not be telegraphed - that if Trump decides to push the limits and play games … that a great big can of whoop-ass gets opened in an instantaneous manner & bang! TRUMP whisked out of courtroom and into designated cell / room in a blink of an eye .
Any recess for dithering & Team Trump will leap to get a stay & litigate this into a circus 
Make it happen like a bolt of lightning - In a flash … let Trump have his eyes pop wide open as he comes to realize that as his legal team argues at the SC that a sitting president could order an assassination & not be accountable … have him realize he ain’t the sitting president! … and he is in a very very vulnerable & weak position.
Criminal contempt in the first degree is a class E felony, and can result directly in fines and being put in jail.
From the NY statue itself:
But it isn’t a “crime”?
Ok, the law itself says it is a crime.
As I said upthread, I don’t think Chutkan ir McAfee will pull the trigger, but to argue that criminal contempt is not a crime is simply not true.
1 Like
If Trump is tried for the J6 crimes, Ginni Thomas could very possibly be implicated in a way that would, at least, be a major embarrassment to the court. Why would they want to see the trial go forth?
2 Likes
Someone had that thought last week and I reminded them that this is the same Donald Trump who was initially against naming his oldest son after him because he feared he might someday go to jail. He’s so enamored with his own name that he splashes it on every product, building, and even his stock yet he so fears jail that he almost passed up on the opportunity to name an entire person after himself. The thought of even having his name associated with someone who MIGHT someday go to jail was that off-putting to him. I really don’t think for a moment that there’s any chance he might actually want to go to jail.
13 Likes
Read the order Judge Merchan issued this morning. trump IS NOT CHARGED WITH NY PENAL CODE § 215.51. He’s held in contempt under NY Judiciary Law § 751. It’s right there on page 7. “Criminal contempt is punishable by a fine not exceeding $1,000, by jail not exceeding 30 days or by both in the discretion of the court, for each violation of a court order. Judiciary Law § 751(1).” If trump were actually charged with the actual crime you’re incorrectly citing, he would be entitled to a jury trial. He’s not entitled to a jury trial because it’s just contempt.
4 Likes
He always has a lot of journalistic irons in the fire, so I’m not surprised given how time-consuming the live blog has been - I mean, getting to the courthouse before 6am, and not being able to work on other projects until it’s done for the day.
1 Like
Do you have a link?
I agree. Saying that he doesn’t care if he’s thrown in jail is totally on-brand. He does not actually want to be in jail. “You’re not the boss of me” is a dominance move right up until someone demonstrates that, yes, they are the boss of you.
10 Likes
It’s linked in the story.
1 Like
I get that. Which is why I assumed we didn’t get one on Friday or today, just noting that it is a shame because it was fantastic reporting.
2 Likes
Thanks. I somehow didn’t see that link in the second graf.
Trump is just begging to be jailed. He is acting like an incorrigible puppy who bites chickens and people and is useless for hunting. There are only two ways to deal with him: jail, or the gravel pit. Since court sanctions are applied in graduated fashion, the gravel pit should be considered the absolute last resort by the Court. But I would not rule out a spritz of water in the face, a shock collar, a muzzle, castration, ear-boxing, and leashing to a tree.
But if all else fails, I say to the gravel pit with him, and let’s be done with him once and for all. This judge has better things to do, and the People can finally go on with their lives. Besides, it would ease traffic congestion, which, Lord knows, is not getting any better, that I can tell you.
3 Likes
He does not want to be in jail, but he would behave exactly like you expect if he gets sent there – rage and performative martyrdom. That said, it would still further exacerbate his deep decline.
26 Likes
Any accelerant that can use would be a good thing.
7 Likes
And Trump paid the $9,000 in cash, right? From his wallet.
Is this the first judge to threaten jail for contempt?
Explicitly? Yes.
Though Chutkan stated if Trump violates his pre-trial release conditions she would issue a warrant for his arrest.
7 Likes