Trump spoke for several minutes unexpectedly during closing arguments of his New York civil fraud trial on Thursday, after his attorney asked Judge Arthur Engoron if they should follow certain guidelines that include not giving campaign speeches and keeping remarks relevant to the facts of the case.
Judge Rejects Trump’s Request to Deliver His Own Closing Statement
Judge Arthur Engoron rejected President Trump’s plan to make an in-court speech during his New York civil fraud trial, preferring instead for legal team summations. Judge Engoron stipulated in an email exchange with former president that his comments on relevant facts must remain relevant and should not become political campaign platforms or criticize court staff in anyway.
But during closing arguments on Thursday, Donald Trump defied those conditions and lashed out against both the state attorney general and judge himself. Christopher Kise, his lawyer representing Trump in court proceedings, focused on testimony from Michael Cohen – one of the state’s key witnesses who testified in October that Trump directed him to inflate his net worth and property valuations in financial statements – who testified that Trump directed him to do just that.
He also pointed out the state’s failure to refute experts called by defense, saying they were trying to cherry pick their evidence. A court clerk later told CNN that if Trump violated his limited gag order he could be removed from courtroom and fined accordingly.
Trump Says He’s “Completely Innocent”
Judges are expected to render their ruling within several weeks and could issue fines or ban Trump and his family from engaging in real estate business in New York. This case stems from payments Michael Cohen made to Stormy Daniels before the 2016 presidential election.
Trump and his lawyers have claimed the lawsuit is part of an orchestrated Democratic smear campaign designed to dismantle their “Make America Great Again” movement and destroy him and their followers. They maintain they are innocent of all charges levelled against them and encourage supporters to protest outside the courthouse as part of this protest strategy.
Hundreds gathered outside the Manhattan courthouse prior to Donald Trump’s arraignment hearing. Those admitted inside were able to witness him arrive in his black SUV with lawyer and Secret Service detail before looking down at camera before ducking into arraignment for 34 counts that had previously been sealed up during hearing.
Trump Says He’s “Happy in Texas”
Trump went off on an extended tirade during a break between closing arguments in his civil fraud trial. His nearly five-minute tirade included grievances and accusations against the judge as well as New York Attorney General Letitia James whom he accused of having their own agendas.
Former president Obama is facing numerous high-profile legal actions, such as an estimated $370 million civil penalty from banks and insurers for inflating their wealth on statements given to banks and insurers, and also defamation lawsuits by writer E. Jean Carroll.
Trump could soon face multiple federal investigations by congressional Democrats and the House Oversight Committee, sparking GOP concerns that his legal troubles might wear away voters who wish to move past his presidency and attack their opposition more aggressively than before. That could explain why he’s been targeting Democratic judges more aggressively while attacking them with increasingly bizarre attacks on his opponent, particularly at rallies where voters don’t yet support his policies.
Trump Says It’s a “Witch-Hunt”
Trump issued a statement from his Bedminster club in New Jersey, reinforcing his claim that investigations against him are part of an orchestrated plot to weaken his 2024 campaign and undermine it. Additionally, he attacked Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis’ investigation in Georgia for election interference charges against her 2020.
Willis’ lawsuit alleging Trump and his allies of illegally withholding national-security documents after leaving office was filed on 3 August and set for trial date 4 March 2024.
Trump and his allies stand accused of violating federal law when they took boxes from the White House to their properties, withheld them from government investigators, and withheld them until recently. If convicted, those charged can face 91 years of jail time; additionally, New York state prosecutors have brought an ongoing civil suit alleging tax fraud scheme by him and his family members.
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