Trump Emphasizes the Importance of Constitution Over Jail Duty

Donald Trump dismissed a New York judge’s warning of potential jail time over a gag order, stating on Monday that “our constitution is much more important than jail.”

These comments were made by Trump outside a Manhattan courthouse following Day 12 of his criminal trial for allegedly falsifying business records.

Justice Juan Merchan imposed another $1,000 fine on Trump on Monday morning for violating the gag order for the 10th time. Merchan also indicated that he would consider jail time as a last resort if Trump persisted in his “deliberate, repeated” violations.

Trump remained unfazed.

“And then you have the other thing that maybe is even more disgraceful is the gag order. Where I can’t, basically, I have to watch every word I tell you people,” Trump told reporters. “You ask me a question, a simple question, I’d like to give it, but I can’t talk about it. Because this judge is giving me a gag order then say, ‘You’ll go to jail if you violate it.’

“And frankly, you know what, our Constitution is much more important than jail. It’s not even close. I’ll do that sacrifice any day,” Trump said.

The Republican presumptive nominee for president also mocked prosecutors’ request to the judge on Monday for an additional two to three weeks to present their case.

“I should be out there campaigning and they said ‘two, and the way I look at it, you’re really talking about three weeks more,’ ” Trump said. “And by the way, they didn’t even have enough to fill out the time. You know, we got out early today because they didn’t have another witness. The government didn’t have another witness. So they didn’t even have time to fill it out. And then they complain.

“So I’ll tell you what, I hope you report the story accurately. This is a real threat to our country.”

Trump is currently on trial for allegedly falsifying business records to conceal a $130,000 payment to former adult film star Stormy Daniels, who claims to have had a sexual encounter with him in 2006. Trump has pleaded not guilty and denied any affair with Daniels.