Former President Donald Trump’s trial for falsifying business records to cover up a hush-money payment before the 2016 election has been marred by controversy, with Trump himself making false claims about the proceedings.
Trump recently urged his supporters to protest outside the courthouse where the trial is taking place, claiming that police had blocked off streets around the courthouse, preventing his supporters from getting near the building. However, NBC News reporter Vaughn Hillyard, who was present at the scene, quickly debunked Trump’s claims.
Hillyard’s video showed that the streets were open to traffic, with vehicles parked along the sides, and that there was no police blockade preventing access to the courthouse.
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In response to Trump’s false claims, Hillyard tweeted, “Trump just claimed that the police have shut down the streets around the courthouse for blocks & that his protesters can’t be here. Just…not true.”
He also reported that there was only one pro-Trump protester present and that the main street along the courthouse was open to traffic.
Trump’s false statements about the police presence at the courthouse are just the latest in a series of controversial remarks he has made during his trial.
Legal experts have criticized Trump for violating a gag order in the case, with some calling for the judge to take firm action to prevent Trump from undermining the integrity of the trial.
Former federal prosecutor and MSNBC legal analyst Andrew Weissmann warned that if Trump’s behavior is not addressed, it could set a dangerous precedent.
Weissmann suggested that the judge could impose a “time out” on Trump, comparing his actions to those of a child testing boundaries.
As the trial continues, observers are closely monitoring how the judge will respond to Trump’s violations of the gag order and false statements. The focus remains on upholding the rule of law and ensuring a fair trial for all parties involved.
