Judge Merchan Won’t Sanction Trump for Manhattan Construction Site Comment

The judge indicated on May 2 that he will not rule on other alleged gag order violations.

(Left) Judge Juan M. Merchan poses in his chambers in New York City, on March 14, 2024. (Right) Former President Donald Trump at Manhattan Criminal Court in New York City on March 25, 2024. Seth Wenig/AP Photo; Spencer Platt/AFP via Getty Images

Judge Juan Merchan, overseeing the “hush-money” trial of former President Donald Trump on May 2, said he would not sanction the former president for his comment last week during a visit to a Manhattan construction site.

Prosecutors had sought to penalize President Trump when he responded to a question about trial witness David Pecker’s testimony, saying the ex-tabloid publisher is “a nice guy.”