The Secret Service has reportedly met with jail officials in New York in anticipation of a possible conviction in former President Donald Trump's hush-money case. As the Manhattan trial reached closing arguments and jury deliberations this week, preparations were underway to ensure the protection of any Secret Service agents tasked with safeguarding Trump if he were to spend time behind bars. The location of where Trump might serve jail time remains unclear, but shorter sentences can be served at the Rikers Island complex, which has two wings typically used for high-profile inmates.
Trump's allies expressed outrage in response to the report, criticizing the case brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and pointing out that the defendant himself is a candidate for the presidency. Political commentator Robby Starbuck and social media influencer Rogan O'Handley voiced their opinions on social media, with Starbuck calling the charges "bogus" and O'Handley suggesting that if Biden were to put Trump in jail, it could lead to a landslide victory for Trump in a potential rematch against President Joe Biden in the upcoming White House contest.
The case involves 34 felony counts of falsifying business records as part of a "catch-and-kill" scheme to influence the 2016 election. Trump, who has pleaded not guilty to the charges, is also facing other criminal matters as he prepares for a potential 2024 rematch against President Biden. If convicted in New York, the presiding judge would schedule a separate hearing to determine a sentence, which could include alternatives such as probation or community service.
During closing arguments, defense lawyer Todd Blanche received a scolding from Judge Juan Merchan for suggesting to the jury that Trump could go to jail if convicted. Merchan deemed the statement as highly inappropriate and announced that he would give the jury a curative instruction after a lunch break.