News about gag order, hush money, and trial

Judge Juan Merchan poses for a picture in his chambers in New York, Thursday, March 14. The New York judge overseeing Donald Trump's hush money trial will take center stage in the case Monday with jury selection kicking off in the historic criminal prosecution of the former president.

Judge Juan Merchan has found former President Donald Trump in contempt for violating the gag order in his hush money trial for the 10th time and said he'll consider jail time going forward. “Going forward, this court will have to consider a jail sanction,” Merchan said Monday.

Mr Trump has pleaded not guilty to criminal charges of falsifying business records in relation to a hush-money payment made to Ms Daniels. He also denies having sex with her. One of the most eagerly awaited witnesses of the trial, her appearance in the Manhattan courthouse Tuesday and Thursday proved dramatic.