Trump trial devolves into chaos as judge admonishes defense witness

NEW YORK — Former President Trump’s hush money trial briefly devolved into chaos after Judge Juan Merchan admonished admonished a witness for improper decorum outside the jury's presence, before ordering his courtroom to be cleared of the press.

As tensions boiled over, reporters were abruptly told to leave the courtroom, the first such time during the trial when proceedings were still underway. They were allowed back inside minutes later without explanation. 

Minutes earlier, the defense called Robert Costello, a former legal advisor to ex-Trump fixer Michael Cohen, as their second witness. He is testifying about Cohen’s state of mind as federal investigators closed in on him in 2018. 

Before reporters were kicked out, Merchan told jurors to leave the courtroom so he could admonish Costello over his courtroom behavior. Addressing the lawyer, the judge said he wanted to discuss “proper decorum” in his courtroom.  

“When there is an eyewitness on the stand, if you don’t like a ruling, you don't say ‘Geez,’” Merchan said.  

“You don’t give me a side eye. You don’t roll your eyes. You understand that?” he later said. 

Trump’s entourage of allies were allowed to remain in the courtroom.