Judge Juan Merchan fined the former president but stipulated that he might jail Trump if
the violations continue. The order prohibits the 45th president from commenting on witnesses, members of the jury, certain court staffers, and Judge Merchan’s family members. “I have to watch every word I tell you people … because this judge has given me a gag order and said, ‘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.”