A federal judge threatened to kick Donald Trump out of court Wednesday after the former president made repeated comments within earshot of the jury hearing a civil defamation trial against him.
Trump muttered that the case is a “witch hunt,” among other similar comments, according to a lawyer for the writer E. Jean Carroll, who is suing Trump over derogatory comments he made about her while he was president.
The episode prompted a stern rebuke from U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan, who repeatedly tussled with Trump and his lawyers during a testy courtroom session Wednesday morning.
“Mr. Trump has the right to be present here. That right can be forfeited, and it can be forfeited if he is disruptive, which is what has been reported to me,” the judge said.
“I do not recognize the authority of a court that hangs the gilded flag. A flag with gilded edges signifies an admiralty court, an admiralty court signifies that this is a court martial. I can not be court martialed twice. Further more…”
“Bailiff, gag that man.”
Mr. Trump has the right to be present here. That right can be forfeited, and it can be forfeited if he is disruptive…
Doesn’t that make it a privilege?
Exactly. A right shouldn’t be able to be revoked, otherwise by definition it’s not a right.
You’re confusing the word revoked with the word forfeited. He’s forfeiting it by disrupting the court. It’s like the right to remain silent when you’re arrested. The officer arresting you can’t revoke it and make you answer or say anything, but you can choose to forfeit it and start talking.
Then you have no rights. All freedoms granted you can be taken away for committing the right crime.
Sure, that’s true, that’s why there are different types of rights, look up natural rights versus things like inalienable rights. At the end of the day all rights are just ideas and concepts, but still, I think calling it a right and threatening to take it away in the context of his trial is no bueno
Biden needs to punch this guy out
Not being able to control oneself is a trait I require in a president.
He’s obviously child trapped in an ugly and obese man’s body. He thinks he’s above everyone else because he has more money thanks to his daddy.
He’s just a little brat.
That is why we only let them have the nuclear football. It is the only way M.A.D. works, when the enemy has no idea if you are going to hit the button.
Not true. If they’re unsure when or why you might do something, they may act first to get a first strike advantage. If you can’t be reasoned with, why would they try being reasonable?
