On May 7, The Guardian reported that Donald Trump could face incarceration for violating his gag order in his New York election interference trial. Mayor Adams stated that Rikers is “ready to receive Trump”. He said of the Department of Correction, “They’re professionals. They’ll be ready.”
I agree that DOC employees are professionals, however, this will have little to do with correction officers and there is not much to be ready for if Trump is jailed on Rikers for violating his gag order.
This is just another part of the Trump circus, and its purpose is to exploit the situation and claim martyrdom for his MAGA base and his twisted definition of patriotism and loyalty to the Constitution.
Trump stated, “This judge has given me a gag order and said you’ll go to jail if you violate it. And frankly, you know what, our Constitution is much more important than jail. It’s not even close. I’ll give that sacrifice any day”.
Tump’s potential jailing fits perfectly into his false narrative of being maliciously persecuted and continues to give him unlimited free media coverage for his 2024 campaign.
What would a hypothetical incarceration on Rikers Island look like?
The Rikers Island bridge, which is the only road allowing access to and egress from Rikers, will be closed when he enters and leaves. The motorcade will not stop at any checkpoint. Trump will likely be housed in the warden’s office in a closed jail where there are neither other detainees nor employees present. And there’s also the possibility of a substitute jail order in another jurisdiction.
But Trump wants to go to Rikers because of the name recognition nationwide and even worldwide. His trip to Rikers will likely resemble the infamous O.J. Simpson being chased in the white Ford Bronco in 1994, with helicopters and drones following Trump’s motorcade–and of course, a Saturday Night Live skit is sure to follow.
And even though it’s highly unlikely, if he is kept in an open jail on Rikers, all detainee movement will completely stop if Trump has to move for any reason. For example, entering the jail, going to the clinic, and departing the jail. There will be no other detainees in the corridor or clinic or anywhere near him. He will not eat jail food and if necessary, his personal doctor will see him. The secret service agents will stay with him 24 hours per day and will keep all their equipment including their firearms, and Trump will keep his cell phone.
DOC will have almost nothing to do with Trump while at Rikers except to keep the media informed and to provide the Emergency Service Unit along with NYPD for deployment on the Queens side of the bridge and perimeter security. A high-ranking boss will be the liaison between DOC and Trump’s Secret Service detail. Trump’s location will become a secure unauthorized area and off limits to everyone. Orders will be distributed that will strictly prohibit all employees from going anywhere near Trump’s location. If he has to sleep in jail, he will have a regular mattress–unlike the thin plastic wrapped mattresses issued to detainees.
Being jailed on Rikers, while creating little physical discomfort, will actually benefit Trump, he will again fund raise off this “persecution”. He will use the jailing to falsely claim that he was sent there by Joe Biden because he is Biden’s political opponent, and his first amendment rights are being violated in this third world country. And he will receive millions in donations from his followers, some of whom earn minimum wage.
This reality show circus would minimize the actual devastating effect jail has on people. A Trump incarceration would be a joke because it’s not “real jail”.
Now, if you take away his Secret Service protection and place him in a jail with other detainees where he would have to live under the same conditions as they do, (eat jailhouse food, sleep in a dormitory with 50 other men who use the same bathroom, and be concerned about being assaulted or robbed) I assure you he would abide by the gag order.
