In a press conference yesterday, Mayor Eric Adams stated that New York City’s Rikers Island is prepared to receive former President Donald J. Trump, should he be ordered to serve time in jail amid his unprecedented trial in Manhattan.
“Our amazing commissioner… is prepared for whatever comes on Rikers Island,” Adams stated when questioned about the prison’s readiness in the event of Trump’s incarceration for breaching a gag order imposed during the trial.
“I’m pretty sure [the Department of Corrections commissioner] would be prepared to manage and deal with the situation. As you see what’s happening with Harvey Weinstein, we have to just you know, in this business, particularly around law enforcement, we have to adjust whatever comes our way,” he continued.
Adams emphasized the professionalism of those involved and reiterated the importance of being prepared for any and every potential eventuality
Meanwhile, Trump is currently facing trial in Manhattan on 34 counts of falsifying business records in connection with an alleged $130k payment made by Michael Cohen to Stormy Daniels.
Prosecutors contend that the Trump Organization and the president unlawfully reimbursed Cohen and falsely recorded the payments as legal expenses. They aim to demonstrate that Trump falsified records with the intent to commit or conceal another crime, which constitutes a felony. The former president has pleaded not guilty and has always denied any involvement.
Judge Juan Merchan has cautioned Trump that he could face jail time if he persists in violating a gag order prohibiting him from making public statements about witnesses, court staff, or their families. The district attorney’s office, led by Democrat Alvin Bragg, has accused Trump of violating the order multiple times through posts on Truth Social and his campaign’s website.
Merchan has imposed fines on Trump for violating the gag order and has warned of the possibility of jail time if the violations persist, which Trump has unconstitutional. On Monday, he said he was willing to make the “sacrifice” of jail time in order to protect the Constitution.
Meanwhile, reports suggest that the Secret Service is internally discussing how to handle a potential jail order for Trump, although the agency has not publicly commented on the matter. Rikers Island, located in the Bronx on the East River, has a capacity of approximately 6,000 inmates, according to city data from last year.