March marks the month of Donald Trump’s trial in Washington, D.C. Furthermore, even though Trump has been threatened with jail for breaking gag orders during his most recent bank fraud trial in New York, the charges he is facing for trying to rig the 2020 election are criminal in nature, giving the federal judge presiding over the case much more authority to punish Trump for speaking out.
The simple fact that Trump exhibits little self-control when it comes to criticizing special prosecutor Jack Smith—whom he now frequently refers to as “Deranged Jack Smith”—and his trial is the reason he might wind up behind bars far sooner than either of them anticipates.
While jailing Trump for disobeying a gag order would be a controversial move, it’s certainly not out of the question.
President Donald Trump has previously shown his reluctance to follow gag orders, even defying Judge Arthur F. Engoron’s orders in New York. However, in the current case in Washington, his disregard for court orders could have more significant consequences than just a financial penalty. Legal experts are now closely watching U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan to see if she will take any drastic action.
“I think by every indication, Judge Chutkan is well prepared for this. She’s not putting up with this,” said Catherine Ross, a professor emeritus at George Washington University Law School.
So far, online bets have been placed on whether or not Trump will be convicted and sentenced to prison. At BetOnline.ag, the odds are 4-1 that it’ll happen by the end of next year. But no one seems to be gambling yet on whether the former president will spend time in jail simply for running his mouth.
