As former president and de facto leader of the Republican Party, Mr. Donald Trump he is one of the most powerful people in America. However, as a defendant, he must now submit to the authority of someone else: Judge Juan Mercan.

The two men came face to face on Tuesday when Trump was indicted on 34 felony charges. Indeed, when prosecutors cited the former president’s recent social media posts, including a warning that “death and destruction” would follow if he is charged, Merchan asked Trump to refrain from such comments as they could “lead to violence or political instability.” ‘.

But when the proceedings were concluded, Trump returned to Florida and reverted to his old habits, calling U.S. Attorney Alvin Bragg a “criminal” and saying that Merchan and his family hated the former president.

A Fine Line for Trump

Mercan’s warning and Trump’s reaction were typical examples of “dancing on the fine line.” The former president, who will run for president in 2024, will have to please voters who are fed up with such unbridled rhetoric, while being careful not to cross the line, as this will lead to the judge taking appropriate action against him. .

Of course, if Trump does cross that line, Merchan will have to be very careful in his responses so as not to give the impression that he is biased. The judge has the rare power to limit Trump’s rhetoric. The question is whether he will use this power and how.

“The judge in this situation would have to be constantly disciplined and manage the situation, as he would with any other defendant,” says Barry Cummins, a former judge from New York. “I know it sounds like a Herculean task, but I believe that the referee should do exactly what he would have done in any other case.”

However, the fact is that the judges have considerable power over the defendants who appear before them, and Merchan has enough means to punish Trump if he deems it necessary.

“I’m sure Judge Merchan wants to avoid a real confrontation if humanly possible, but he also wants to exercise the power of the court,” said Michael J. Obus, who has been a New York Supreme Court Justice for more than two decades and has known Merchan for about 14 years old.

^{According to the New York Times}

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