DailyMail.com’s Nick Allen recaps the confrontation between Bob Costello and Judge Juan Merchan from the courtroom
There were astonishing scenes at Donald Trump’s hush money trial on Monday — and for once, it had little to do with the former president.
The drama began to unfold when Trump lawyer Emile Bove questioned a defense witness, Bob Costello, and Judge Juan Merchan repeatedly accepted the prosecution’s objections.
Even before Bove had finished his questions, there would be a silent “objection” from the prosecutor, followed a split second later by an “acceptance” from the judge.
After another ‘lingering’, Costello became irritated because he couldn’t answer, and said ‘Jeez..’
The judge, a few feet away, leaned his head forward toward Costello and said in an irritated voice, “Sorry?…Sorry?…What did you say?”
Costello didn’t answer and looked away, as if mumbling something inaudible.
At another point, when the judge said “sustained” again, Costello, himself a former prosecutor, said “strike it…” to the jury.
The increasingly irritated judge then asked Bove to stop his questioning and addressed Costello directly.
In a frank voice, he said, “I want to discuss proper decorum in my courtroom…
“If you don’t like my pronunciation, don’t say ‘Jeez.’ You don’t look at me or roll your eyes.
“You don’t say ‘strike it’ because I’m the only one who can testify in my court.”
After the brief lecture, Costello appeared to briefly look back at Judge Merchan, who then exploded in anger.
Judge Merchan seemed incredulous and said to Costello: “Are you staring at me?”
Costello paused and looked away.
After a brief pause, the judge loudly ordered, “Clear the courtroom!”
Court officials were momentarily stunned and no one moved.
The officers then began shouting at the public and press to ‘clear the courtroom’ and they were led outside.
Members of the media objected, but were taken to a hallway next to some guardrails.
People from Trump’s entourage, including his son Eric, were allowed to remain inside the court.
When the media returned after a few minutes, Costello was still in the stands, but looking slightly redder.
It could only be assumed that he had received a severe whipping from the clearly irate judge.
Judge Merchan, now fully in charge of his own courtroom, continued to dismiss objections and Costello studiously avoided looking at him or expressing any dissent.