FLASH
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The judge, Juan Merchan, ruled Tuesday that former President Donald Trump violated a court order barring him from attacking potential witnesses. The judge fined Mr Trump $9,000 for repeated violations of the order barring him from making public statements to witnesses, jurors and others related to the case.
If he violates the order again, the judge warned, he could be jailed. Prosecutors had alleged ten violations, but the judge found there were nine. Mr. Trump stared at the table as the judge read the verdict.
The Republican presidential candidate has maintained that he is exercising his right to free speech, but the judge's ruling underscores that Mr. Trump is a criminal defendant who must be subjected to the harsh realities of court proceedings.
The judge's extraordinary threat to jail a former president signals growing legal uncertainty for Mr. Trump depending on his behavior during the remainder of the trial.
Judge Merchan wrote that he is "very aware and protective" of Mr. Trump's First Amendment rights, "especially given his candidacy for the office of president of the United States."
"It is extremely important that the defendant's legitimate rights to free speech not be curtailed, that he be able to campaign fully for the office he is running for, and that he be able to respond to and defend himself against political attacks." Judge Merchan wrote.
However, he warned that the court will not tolerate "willful breaches of its lawful orders and that, if necessary and appropriate in the circumstances, it will impose a custodial sentence". The judge's statement points to the possibility that Mr. Trume will become the first former president of the United States to go to prison.
"This judge's order is completely unconstitutional," Mr Trump said after the hearing ended on Tuesday, where a Hollywood lawyer who brokered two payment deals to buy silence testified. "I'm the Republican nominee for president of the United States ... and I'm in court all day long hearing these things."
Trump is used to having constant access to his social media to bash opponents and make his point.
After his Twitter account was blocked following the January 6 riots at the US Congress building by his supporters, Mr Trump created his own social platform, where his posts would not be restricted or blocked.
He has long tried to distance himself from the controversial messages he shared with his millions of followers, insisting he only shared other people's posts.
Tuesday's ruling in New York comes in the second week of Mr. Trump's trial on charges that he paid money to buy silence. Mr. Trump is accused that he and his associates participated in an illegal scheme to influence the 2016 presidential campaign by buying and burying negative stories about him.
The indictment alleges the payments were made to Playboy model Karen McDougal, who peddled her story of an affair with Mr. Trump, and porn star Stormy Daniels, who claims an intimate night with the former president. Mr. Trump has denied the allegations and says all the claims are lies.]
According to the judge's order, Mr. Trump deleted the offending posts from his Truth Social network account and his presidential campaign website. He has until Friday to pay the fine.
The judge will hear arguments Thursday regarding other alleged violations of the court order. Mr. Merchan announced that he will stop the May 17 court hearing to allow Mr. Trump to attend his son Barron's high school graduation ceremony. /VOA
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