Legal expert warns of 'fireworks' between Trump and Judge Merchan at sentencing hearing
With Donald Trump expected to face off with New York State Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchan Friday morning where he will be sentenced for his part in a hush-money scheme, MSNBC legal analyst Lisa Rubin raised the very real possibility a verbal clash may be in the offing.
Appearing on MSNBC's "Morning Joe," Rubin noted that the president-elect will not be in the Manhattan courtroom where he will be sentenced for his felony convictions but will be appearing remotely, which could create problems for Judge Merchan.
As she noted, that could allow Trump to violate the judge's gag order when given the opportunity to speak for the record.
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Speaking with co-host Willie Geist, Rubin explained, "The former president and future president will have an opportunity to speak himself, Willie, and here's where things get really interesting, because Trump won't be in the courtroom."
"Therefore, if he starts to say things that aren't, for example, permitted by the very narrow gag order that is still in place in this case, Merchan can't take action, for example, to remove him from the courtroom, or to have that kind of confrontation with him in person," she elaborated. "What will the solution be if Trump continues to pontificate or refuses to sit down and sort of have his time? If he continues to talk and talk and talk, it'll be really interesting to see the fireworks that might occur between him and Judge Merchan."
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