Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, whose campaign coffers were significantly boosted by the backing of left-wing billionaire George Soros, has taken steps to hold former President Donald Trump in contempt of court.

The motion filed alleges that Trump breached a gag order imposed by Judge Juan Merchan during the jury selection phase of the Stormy Daniels ‘hush money’ trial.

Earlier this month, Judge Merchan, known for his left-leaning stance, expanded the gag order against Trump, prohibiting the former president from criticizing his family members. This followed a prior gag order issued by Merchan in March, which directed Trump to refrain from making public statements about witnesses and jurors in the Stormy Daniels case.

Trump’s critique of Judge Merchan’s daughter, despite her not being a witness or juror, prompted the contempt motion from Bragg’s office.

In response, Trump took to Truth Social, lambasting Judge Merchan and reaffirming his commitment to speaking the truth, even if it meant facing consequences akin to a modern-day Nelson Mandela.

The Manhattan DA’s motion specifically cited Trump’s labeling of Michael Cohen as a “disgraced attorney and felon” and his characterization of Merchan and prosecutors as “thugs” as evidence of willful violation of the court’s directives.

Judge Merchan has scheduled a hearing for April 23 to review the prosecutors’ request for contempt findings. Furthermore, Bragg’s office is not only seeking contempt charges but also pushing for financial sanctions against Trump for each alleged violation, accompanied by a stark warning of potential jail time for future infractions.

The DA’s office laid out a detailed plan for enforcement, urging the court to impose a $1,000 sanction for each of three prior posts, demand their removal, and caution Trump against future breaches under the threat of incarceration.

The motion said:

“It is absolutely critical that defendant immediately halt any conduct that would violate the April 1 order’s narrow restrictions to protect the integrity of the ongoing trial. A finding of criminal contempt, imposition of sanctions, and stark warnings from this court are the minimum remedies necessary to achieve this indispensable objective.”

Judge Merchan, indicating his readiness to address the contempt motion, is expected to issue an order outlining the procedural steps in the coming days.

Trump, meanwhile, continues to express frustration over the gag order on Truth Social, decrying what he perceives as interference in his ability to respond to critics and insisting on the removal of the restriction, branding the trial as rigged and unconstitutional.

According to the motion:

In addition, this Court should again admonish defendant to comply with his obligations under the order. And finally, this Court should warn defendant that future violations of the Court’s restrictions on his extrajudicial statements can be punished not only with additional fines, but also with a term of incarceration of up to thirty days.

It is absolutely critical that defendant immediately halt any conduct that would violate the April 1 order’s narrow restrictions to protect the integrity of the ongoing trial. A finding of criminal contempt, imposition of sanctions, and stark warnings from this Court are the minimum remedies necessary to achieve this indispensable objective.

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