The Washington PostDemocracy Dies in Darkness

How would Americans react to Trump in jail?

The prospect is getting more real, with the judge signaling he might feel compelled to send him there, given repeated gag-order violations.

Analysis by
Staff writer
May 6, 2024 at 5:59 p.m. EDT
Former president Donald Trump speaks outside the courtroom in New York last week. (Justin lane/AP)
5 min

It appears increasingly possible that Donald Trump could face actual jail time before we ever get a verdict in any of his four criminal trials.

Jail would be a fraught outcome that few seem to truly desire — and might never happen for a host of reasons — but it’s time to ask whether the American people are prepared for a former president behind bars.