Donald Trump’s allies might have helped him ignore a rule from the court, says Eric Lisann, who used to work as a federal prosecutor.
This development has raised questions about whether senior Republican politicians will be subpoenaed for acting as Trump’s mouthpieces during his ongoing hush-money trial in New York.
Lisann suggests that both Judge Juan Merchan and prosecutors will investigate whether GOP politicians’ comments about the trial were orchestrated by Trump, potentially violating the gag order.
Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee for 2024, is facing 34 counts of falsifying business records and has pleaded not guilty.
Trump Supporters May Face Subpoenas
He claims the case is politically motivated, but the prosecution alleges he paid or discussed paying former Playboy model Karen McDougal and adult film star Stormy Daniels to keep secret his alleged affairs with them. Trump denies affairs with both women.
Lisann argues that Trump is violating the gag order by directing others to speak on his behalf, and that this could lead to subpoenas for Republican senators like Tommy Tuberville, J.D. Vance, and Rick Scott, who have publicly criticized the trial.
Judge Merchan has already fined Trump for previous violations of the gag order and warned him of potential jail time if he continues to defy the order.
The appearance of Trump’s political allies at the trial has sparked concerns about contempt of court and the potential for a “circus” atmosphere.
Mark Shanahan, a politics professor at the University of Surrey, notes that Trump surrogates can attack the trial that Trump himself cannot unless they are seen to be directed by Trump. This development has raised questions about the limits of free speech and the power of the court to enforce its orders.
