'Trying to show judge who's boss': Ex-prosecutor warns Trump Juan Merchan is about to snap

In the midst of the third day of jury selection in Donald Trump's so-called "hush money" trial, former U.S. Attorney Joyce Vance cautioned the former president to dial it back as his legal team and prosecutors working for Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg attempt to move the proceedings forward.

With Trump already butting heads with Judge Juan Merchan, which has led to the scheduling of a hearing next Tuesday over accusations the former president has already committed multiple violations of a gag order the judge imposed to protect potential witnesses and jurors, Vance told MSNBC host Andrea Mitchell that the former president is testing his boundaries with the judge — and he may be in line for a valuable lesson after also making references to possible jury members.

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"It feels like Trump is trying to show the judge who's boss and, at the end, it's the judge, the person in the black robe in front of the courtroom, who controls decision-making," she explained.

She dryly added, "It's a novel and unique position for the former president to be in, but I think, between these two hearings, he's about to find out who runs this courtroom."

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MSNBC 04 18 2024 12 54 43youtu.be