With the presidential elections just a year away, the ineluctable Republican nominee’s legal issues continue overshadow his campaign. But the question on the lips of many commentators is simple: will Donald Trump really end up in jail?
Donald Trump’s lethiferous reaction to losing the 2020 election against current President Joe Biden and the subsequent string of lawsuits at both federal and state levels would be damaging to any normal politician. Alas, Donald Trump is no normal politician. His rambunctious attitude in the court room, often erring on the side of impetuousness, risks leaving him in real trouble.
Donald Trump’s legal quagmire
Trump’s actions since his election defeat, and especially since the events of January 6th, 2021, have led to a plethora of legal battles at both federal and state levels, with many, supporters and opposition alike, anxious for a swift resolution before the 2024 presidential campaign season kicks off early next year.
This week, a federal appeals court has been hearing arguments over a gag order placed on the former President in federal case that has charged him with egregiously trying to overturn the 2020 election and thus bringing American democracy itself into disrepute. Trump denies all charges.
Since the case began, Trump has been testing the waters, publicly maligning prosecutors, denouncing members of the court staff, and potentially threatening witnesses. This led U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan to impose a gag order last month.
She lifted just days later, before putting it back in place after Trump made nefarious comments about prosecutors efforts to sway his former Chief of Staff, Mark Meadows, into testifying against him. The gag order was put on hold on appeal.
Is Jail a real possibility?
In conversation with Trump’s niece, Mary Trump, attorney Josh Gallina believes that Donald Trump is at real risk of jail time if he continues to defy the judge’s orders.
He said:
”It is true that Donald is a risk, and somebody's got to hold him accountable. And I do think we'll see fines, but if he keeps doing it, he's going to end up in jail. There's no way he can get out of that. I think that's a very likely possibility."
A former White House lawyer concurs. Ty Cobb told CNN’s Erin Burnett on Monday that he thinks former President Trump’s “narcissism” will ultimately see him end up in jail.
He said:
“I don’t think his first or second violation of the gag order will find him sent to jail, but I think ultimately, his narcissism will get the best of him. And he will violate it until he finds out what the limits of Judge Chutkan’s patience are.”
This indictment is one of four criminal prosecutions currently hanging over the former President’s head, with the case set for trial at the beginning of March. Trump is also facing charges in a federal court in Florida over alleged mishandling of classified documents, state charges in New York in relation to allegations he paid hush money to adult actress Stormy Daniels, and state charges in Georgia in relation to his attempts to overturn the 2020 election there.
Whether we’ll see Trump behind bars anytime soon, remains to be seen. Watch this space.
Read more:
⋙ Meghan Markle targeted by Donald Trump as he reveals, 'I’d love to debate her'
⋙ Donald Trump’s son, Barron, mimics his father's 'you're fired' line to White House staff
⋙ BBC icon John Cleese faces backlash as he compares King Charles to Donald Trump
