NEW YORK CITY, NY - Mayor Eric Adams made headlines on Tuesday as he addressed the media, highlighting the preparedness of the city's Department of Corrections for a potential scenario involving former President Donald Trump's incarceration at Rikers Island.
This announcement follows a series of warnings issued by Judge Juan Merchan to Trump regarding his alleged violations of a gag order, which have resulted in fines totaling $10,000.
Adams praised the professionalism of the corrections staff, stating confidently, "Our amazing commissioner is prepared for whatever comes on Rikers Island." He emphasized the need for adaptability in law enforcement, citing ongoing high-profile trials such as that of Harvey Weinstein.
"As you see what's happening with Harvey Weinstein, we have to adjust, you know, in this business, particularly around law enforcement, we have to adjust whatever comes our way," Adams continued. "We don't want to deal with a hypothetical, but they're professionals, they'll be ready."
Judge Merchan, presiding over Trump's trial on charges related to "hush-money" payments, expressed reluctance towards resorting to incarceration but stressed the importance of upholding the dignity of the judicial system.
“The last thing I want to do is put you in jail. You are the former president of the United States and possibly the next president as well ... but at the end of the day, I have a job to do and part of that job is to protect the dignity of the judicial system. So as much as I do not want to impose a jail sanction,” Merchan said, “I want you to understand that I will, if necessary and appropriate.”
Trump, facing charges of falsifying business records, has been vocal in his criticism of the gag order, labeling it as unconstitutional. He has also remained defiant, expressing his willingness to endure imprisonment in defense of constitutional principles.
"I have to watch every word I tell you people. You ask me a question, a simple question I'd like to give it, but I can't talk about it because this judge has given me a gag order and [says] you'll go to jail if you violate it," Trump told reporters on Monday. "Frankly, our Constitution is much more important than jail. It's not even close. I'll do that sacrifice any day,"
The legal proceedings against Trump stem from allegations that he and the Trump Organization reimbursed his former attorney, Michael Cohen, for payments made to Stormy Daniels to suppress her claims of an extramarital affair. Prosecutors argue that these payments were fraudulently recorded as legal expenses, with the intent to conceal a second crime.
Merchan's warnings to Trump have been accompanied by a series of fines. Despite these penalties, Trump has remained steadfast in his defense, setting the stage for a showdown between legal accountability and constitutional rights.
This announcement follows a series of warnings issued by Judge Juan Merchan to Trump regarding his alleged violations of a gag order, which have resulted in fines totaling $10,000.
Adams praised the professionalism of the corrections staff, stating confidently, "Our amazing commissioner is prepared for whatever comes on Rikers Island." He emphasized the need for adaptability in law enforcement, citing ongoing high-profile trials such as that of Harvey Weinstein.
"As you see what's happening with Harvey Weinstein, we have to adjust, you know, in this business, particularly around law enforcement, we have to adjust whatever comes our way," Adams continued. "We don't want to deal with a hypothetical, but they're professionals, they'll be ready."
Judge Merchan, presiding over Trump's trial on charges related to "hush-money" payments, expressed reluctance towards resorting to incarceration but stressed the importance of upholding the dignity of the judicial system.
“The last thing I want to do is put you in jail. You are the former president of the United States and possibly the next president as well ... but at the end of the day, I have a job to do and part of that job is to protect the dignity of the judicial system. So as much as I do not want to impose a jail sanction,” Merchan said, “I want you to understand that I will, if necessary and appropriate.”
Trump, facing charges of falsifying business records, has been vocal in his criticism of the gag order, labeling it as unconstitutional. He has also remained defiant, expressing his willingness to endure imprisonment in defense of constitutional principles.
"I have to watch every word I tell you people. You ask me a question, a simple question I'd like to give it, but I can't talk about it because this judge has given me a gag order and [says] you'll go to jail if you violate it," Trump told reporters on Monday. "Frankly, our Constitution is much more important than jail. It's not even close. I'll do that sacrifice any day,"
The legal proceedings against Trump stem from allegations that he and the Trump Organization reimbursed his former attorney, Michael Cohen, for payments made to Stormy Daniels to suppress her claims of an extramarital affair. Prosecutors argue that these payments were fraudulently recorded as legal expenses, with the intent to conceal a second crime.
Merchan's warnings to Trump have been accompanied by a series of fines. Despite these penalties, Trump has remained steadfast in his defense, setting the stage for a showdown between legal accountability and constitutional rights.
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