Former federal prosecutor Katie Czerkasky questioned the “constitutionality” of the gag order imposed on former President Donald Trump on Fox News Monday, saying Democrats are painting Trump as a “martyr for civil rights.” He said he was afraid of that.
Mr. Cherkasky appeared on “Jesse Watters Prime Time” to discuss the gag order violations that Mr. Trump encountered during his trial with Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. Presiding Judge Juan Melchán found the former president had violated the gag order for the 10th time and warned that further violations could result in a prison sentence for Trump.
Fox host Jesse Watters questioned the former federal prosecutor about Marchand’s recent warning, asking if he thought Trump could actually go to prison. (Related: Judge finds President Trump violates gag order for 10th time)
“Well, I think Democrats are in a very tough position right now,” Cherkasky said. “They are torn between the dream of finally seeing Trump in prison and the nightmare that if he goes to prison, he will become a martyr to the civil rights movement. Based on his statements, he will most likely be sent to prison.”
“I don’t think Judge Marchand wants that, because it’s a logical nightmare, but the threat continues to grow,” she continued. “This order is so vague that no one knows whether President Trump will violate it. Part of the critical question about the constitutionality of the order here is that essentially anything can be construed as a violation of the order.” Thing.”
Mr. Watters continued to ask Mr. Cherkasky about the issue, jokingly asking if he believed the Secret Service could go to prison with Mr. Trump. The former prosecutor laughed at the question and said he expected the former president’s protection.
“In the interest of national security, you would want to protect someone who has this many state secrets. I mean, we’re talking about a former president. The practicality of this is ridiculous. But Mr. Marchand continues to insist that that is the next step,” Mr. Cherkasky said.
The former president has repeatedly spoken out against gag orders that restrict speech about witnesses, prosecutors other than the district attorney, court officials, jurors, and family members of employees, district attorneys, and judges. The order, originally issued in late March, was extended to early April after President Trump made comments on social media criticizing Ms. Marchand’s daughter.
Marchand last week fined the former president $9,000 and charged him with contempt for violating the gag order, which also threatened him with jail time. The judge ordered President Trump to delete the social media posts by a required deadline and gave him until May 3 to pay the fine.
