New York City's Rikers Island is ready to accommodate former President Donald Trump if he is ordered to serve time in jail amid his ongoing trial in Manhattan, according to Mayor Eric Adams. The mayor assured the media that the Department of Corrections commissioner is prepared for any eventuality at Rikers Island, the city's largest prison.
Mayor Adams emphasized the professionalism and readiness of the corrections staff to manage any situation that may arise, drawing parallels to the handling of other high-profile cases such as that of Harvey Weinstein. While not wanting to speculate on hypothetical scenarios, Adams expressed confidence in the preparedness of the authorities.
Trump is currently facing trial in Manhattan on 34 counts of falsifying business records related to payments made to Stormy Daniels by his former attorney, Michael Cohen. The prosecution alleges that the Trump Organization and the former president fraudulently recorded payments to Cohen as legal expenses, with the intent to commit or conceal a felony.
Presiding Judge Juan Merchan has issued a gag order prohibiting Trump from making public statements about witnesses, court staff, or their families. Violation of this order could result in potential incarceration for Trump, as warned by the judge.
The case revolves around allegations of an extramarital affair between Trump and Stormy Daniels in 2006, which Trump has denied. The trial is focused on proving that Trump falsified records to cover up illicit activities, a charge to which he has pleaded not guilty.