Donald Trump inspiring MAGA 'vigilantes' to 'attack polling stations' during election
Trump is standing trial in New York
Donald Trump’s verbal tirades directed at judges, jurors, prosecutors, and witnesses could inspire unsavory scenes at this year’s election, experts have warned.
Trump is currently standing trial in New York for the first of four criminal cases brought against him.
This trial relates to hush money he allegedly paid to adult film star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election. Trump denies falsifying business records to hide the alleged payments.
Despite gag orders and criticism, Trump has repeatedly attacked judges and jurors.
One example came in April when Trump posted on Truth Social: “They are catching undercover Liberal Activists lying to the Judge in order to get on the Trump Jury.”
Judge Juan Merchan even threatened Trump with jail time on Monday for violating a gag order for the 10th time in his hush-money trial.
Trump has launched tirades at witnesses and jurors
Speaking to The Guardian, various experts warned of dire consequences if Trump continues to direct his verbal tirades at people involved in the case.
Former federal judge John Jones said: “At its core, the promise of pardons by Trump signals to anyone prone to insurrectionist behavior that they can expect a get out of jail card free.
“My fear is that we will have civil unrest that will impede the election. My concern is that you can have vigilante groups under the guise of ‘stop the steal’, patrolling polling places and intimidating voters.”
Jones also referred to Trump’s recent threat that there could be a “bloodbath” in the US is the country has a trade war with China.
He added: “The word ‘bloodbath’ is not ambiguous. The last time Trump fomented this kind of post-election destructiveness, people lost their lives.”
Experts fear a repeat of January 6
Trump is yet to stand trial in the criminal case relating to allegations he incited the insurrection on January 6 2021. He denies the allegations.
Former Justice Department official Ty Cobb added: “Trump’s persistent denigration of the legal system is surely as divisive as everything else he does because he’s lying.
“Trump’s lies in this area seem to have been embraced by his followers as truth.
“Trump has not been unfairly targeted by the Justice Department or the Biden administration but charged only with serious crimes he has committed.
“The two state cases in which Trump stands criminally indicted have nothing to do with the Biden administration.”