The U.S. Secret Service is in the business of protecting the president, whether he’s inside the Oval Office or visiting a foreign war zone.
But protecting a former president in prison? The prospect is unprecedented. That would be the challenge if Donald J. Trump — whom the agency is required by law to protect around the clock — is convicted at his criminal trial in Manhattan and sentenced to serve time.
Even before the trial’s opening statements, the Secret Service was in some measure planning for the extraordinary possibility of a former president behind bars. Prosecutors had asked the judge in the case to remind Mr. Trump that attacks on witnesses and jurors could land him in jail even before a verdict is rendered.
That’s the law, they literally can’t demand more; It’s a regressive fine, just like everything else in society. If they could call for a heftier financial penalty, they would.
I’m sure that there are other laws that could apply, like witness intimidation. Contempt can also carry jail time for each instance. The judge has discretion to hold him in jail during the trial as well.
Indeed, he could be locked up for up to 30 days, but I think Merchan wants to avoid feed this asshole’s martyr complex.
Personally I’d rather trump end up like Steve Biko than Nelson Mandela, but perhaps Merchan is far more level-headed than I am.