US Secret Service prepares for if Trump jailed for contempt in hush money case

WORLD  24 April 2024 - 12:07

The US Secret Service held meetings and started planning for what to do if former President Donald Trump were to be held in contempt in his criminal hush money trial.

Judge Juan Merchan opted to send him to short-term confinement, officials familiar with the situation told ABC News.

Merchan on April 23 reserved decision on the matter after a contentious hearing. Prosecutors said at this point they are seeking a fine.

“We are not yet seeking an incarceratory penalty," assistant district attorney Chris Conroy said, "But the defendant seems to be angling for that."

Officials do not necessarily believe Merchan would put Trump in a holding cell in the courthouse but they are planning for contingencies, the officials said.

There have not been discussions yet about what to do if Trump is convicted and sentenced to prison.

The former president is on trial on felony charges of falsifying business records to hide the reimbursement of a hush money payment his then-attorney Michael Cohen made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 presidential election.

Caliber.Az