‘You Can’t Throw Us Out!’ See Media Revolt At Trump Judge Trying To Clear Courtroom So He Can Tear Into Defense Witness
Mark Peterson/New York Magazine via AP, Pool
Members of the media revolted as Judge Juan Merchan tried to clear the courtroom so he could tear into a witness for former President Donald Trump‘s defense.
Ex-Trump fixer Michael Cohen’s testimony in the Stormy Daniels hush money-election interference trial wrapped up on Monday. But, the real fireworks came when Cohen attorney Bob Costello took the stand.
Costello engaged in antics that included audible disruptions and other “contemptuous” behavior that caused an angry Judge Merchan to clear the courtroom — but not before the press and their lawyer pushed back hard.
According to a transcript obtained by Mediaite, the following exchange occurred:
Q What did you mean by that?
MS. HOFFINGER: Objection.
THE COURT: Sustained.
A Jeez.
Q Was that in response to something Michael Cohen had instructed you to do?
MS. HOFFINGER: Objection.
THE COURT: Sustained.
A Yes. Strike it.
THE COURT: Counsel, let’s take a minute. Can the jury please step out.
THE COURT OFFICER: All rise.
(Jury exits.)
**********
THE COURT: Mr. Costello, you remain seated, please. Remain seated. You may be seated. Mr. Costello, I want to — I would like to discuss proper decorum in my courtroom.
THE WITNESS: But — I’m sorry. Go ahead.
THE COURT: I want to discuss proper decorum in my courtroom.
THE WITNESS: Right.
THE COURT: Okay. So, when there is a witness on the stand, if you don’t like my ruling, you don’t say “Jeez,” okay. And then you don’t say “strike it,” because I’m the only one that can strike testimony in the courtroom. Do you understand that?
THE WITNESS: I understand.
THE COURT: Okay. And then, if you don’t like my ruling, you don’t give me side eye and you don’t roll your eyes. Do you understand that? Do you understand that?
THE WITNESS: I understand that. I understand what you’re saying.
THE COURT: Okay. Thank you. Let’s get the jury back. Are you staring me down right now?
THE WITNESS: No. I’m just wondering how —
THE COURT: Clear the courtroom, please. Clear the courtroom.
THE WITNESS: Do you want me to answer your question?
THE SERGEANT: Sir, please.
THE COURT OFFICER: Step outside, please. Step out and step to the side, please. Step out, please. Quiet please. Step out, please.
A PERSON IN THE AUDIENCE: Your Honor, may I object on behalf of the press? Your Honor, our lawyer is objecting, the press lawyer is objecting. We have a right to remain here.
THE COURT OFFICER: Step out. Step out.
A PERSON IN THE AUDIENCE: Why? This is an open courtroom.
THE COURT OFFICER: Step out. Any questions — any and all questions will be answered in the hallway.
A PERSON IN THE AUDIENCE: The press lawyer has a question.
THE COURT OFFICER: This is not an open forum. We will answer all questions in the hallway. Please step out. This is a Supreme Court courtroom. Step out.
A PERSON IN THE AUDIENCE: This is an open courtroom.
A PERSON IN THE AUDIENCE: It is open to the people, open to the public. You can’t throw us out!
A PERSON IN THE AUDIENCE: Our lawyer has a question. This is a public forum, why do we need to step out?
THE COURT OFFICER: Step out, please.
A PERSON IN THE AUDIENCE: Where do you want us to go? We have a lawyer here.
A PERSON IN THE AUDIENCE: I am the lawyer.
THE COURT OFFICER: Keep going, please. I will answer all questions out in the hallway. I will answer everything in the hallway, but right now everybody step out.
A PERSON IN THE AUDIENCE: We are guests, why do we have to leave?
THE COURT OFFICER: Step out, everybody. Step out in the hallway. Let’s go.
A PERSON IN THE AUDIENCE: Will this be on the record so that we can read it afterwards?
THE COURT OFFICER: Step out, please. Step out. Step out, please. Step out.
(The courtroom is cleared of people in the audience by the court officers at this time.) ******
THE COURT: All right. Let the record reflect that it’s now five after four.
Let the record also reflect that the court officers had great difficulty clearing the courtroom, because the courtroom is made up, primarily, of the press.
And I can appreciate that the press wants to be present for every part of these proceedings. Therefore, this record is not sealed. The press will have access to this record.
The fact that I had to clear the courtroom and that the court officers, including the Captain, had great difficulty clearing the courtroom, and that there was argument back and forth between the press and including counsel for the press, goes to why I had to clear the courtroom in the first place:
And that is, sir, your conduct is contemptuous right now.
I’m putting you on notice that your conduct is contemptuous.
If you try to stare me down one more time, I will remove you from the stand.
I will strike his entire testimony; do you understand me?
MR. BOVE: Yes, Judge. I understand.
THE COURT: Listen to the question and answer the question.
THE WITNESS: Can I say something, please?
THE COURT: No. No. This is not a conversation.
THE WITNESS: Okay.
THE COURT: All right. Let’s — we can bring the press back in, please.
The trial resumed Tuesday, and the case is expected to wrap up this week, with closing arguments beginning after Memorial Day Weekend.
Have a tip for us? tips@mediaite.com
