The U.S. Secret Service has been in discussions and preliminary planning in case former President Donald Trump faces contempt charges in his criminal trial involving hush money, with a possibility of short-term confinement, according to officials familiar with the matter speaking to ABC News.
Judge Juan Merchan, after a contentious hearing on Tuesday, deferred a decision on the issue.
Prosecutors have indicated they are currently seeking a monetary penalty rather than incarceration.
“We are not yet seeking an incarceratory penalty,” assistant district attorney Chris Conroy stated, adding, “But the defendant seems to be angling for that.”
Officials clarified that they do not anticipate Trump being held in a courthouse cell, but they are preparing for potential scenarios.
There has been no discussion as of yet regarding what steps would be taken if Trump were to be convicted and sentenced to prison.
The former president is currently facing felony charges related to falsifying business records to conceal payment reimbursement to adult film actress Stormy Daniels by his then-attorney Michael Cohen ahead of the 2016 presidential election.
The Secret Service declined to comment on specific plans, citing federal law mandating protection for current and former government leaders, among others, designated by the President.
In related news, prosecutors allege that Trump violated a court-ordered gag order multiple times this month by making statements on social media critical of witnesses, jurors, and lawyers involved in the case, which the defense countered by arguing the vagueness of the order and asserting Trump’s right to defend against perceived attacks.
