Judge Merchan issued an ultimatum to Trump's security team: change their proposed security exhibits within 24 hours or be barred from using the materials.
“You have 24 hours,” said the merchant. “Anything you don't produce within 24 hours will be blocked.”
Defense attorney Todd Blanch pushed back the deadline, arguing against one attorney's claim that defense materials were withheld after February for “strategic reasons.”
“This is completely false,” said Blanche. He asked Merson for a Wednesday deadline in lieu of the trial's demands.
Merchan's refusal to grant the request highlights the latest flurry of defense motions filed over the past few weeks.
“I don't know how you get those movements out,” Merson said. “The way you choose to spend your time is your business.”
Judge Merchan has set a hearing on the lawyers' request to hold Trump in contempt for allegedly violating the judge's limited gag order.
The hearing is set for Wednesday, April 24 at 2:15 pm ET.
The judge gave Trump's lawyers until April 19 to file a written response.
Prosecutor Christopher Conroy also asked Trump to provide a copy of the order, and the documents were then handed to Trump and defense attorney Todd Blanch at the defense table.
Judge Juan Merchan has resumed court for afternoon proceedings following a lunch break.
Donald Trump and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg are both in attendance.
Trump did not comment to reporters before entering the courtroom after the break.
Trump lawyer Todd Blanch responded to the lawyers' request for Judge Merchan to fine Trump for three social media posts that they say violated the judge's limited gag order, characterizing the posts as “limited responses to this barrage of attacks” by Stormy Daniels and Trump. Former attorney Michael Cohen.
“It's not like President Trump is going out and targeting individuals. He's retaliating against these witness attacks,” Blanch said.
Trump's three posts — two on April 10 and the third on April 13 — came just days before the hearing.
In one of those posts, Trump thanked Daniels' former lawyer Michael Avenatti for “revealing the truth about the two sleaze bags” — a clear “attack” on Daniels and Cohen and their participation in the investigation, prosecutors say.
Judge Merchan said Blanch had an opportunity to respond with a paper filing.
“I'll take this upstairs on my lunch break,” Merson said.
The judge then adjourned the court till 1:30 p.m.
