NEW YORK (AP) – Despite being barred from making a formal closing argument, Donald Trump seized the opportunity to speak in court at the conclusion of his New York civil fraud trial Thursday, delivering a six-minute critical speech. He made a concentrated attack, and was then cut off. Turned off by the judge.
Trump made the remarks as the judge was trying to determine whether the former president would follow rules that require his remarks to focus on issues related to the trial. Asked if he would follow the guidelines, Trump defied the judge and simply began speaking.
President Trump protested, saying, “There are circumstances in which I am innocent.” “I think I have to push the envelope because I’m being persecuted by candidates.”
Judge Arthur Engoron, who had previously refused to allow Trump to make closing statements at his trial, allowed Trump to continue speaking with little interruption in what amounted to a short personal summary and then asked him to speak. I finished the day and took a break for lunch.
Trump, a front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination, has repeatedly disparaged Engoron, saying in a social media post Wednesday night that he worked closely with the New York attorney general to “ruin me.” I accused him of being there.
On Wednesday, Engoron will deliver his own closing remarks in addition to summarizing his legal team in court after the former president’s lawyers disagreed with the judge’s request to stick to “relevance.” Mr. Trump’s unusual plan to do so was canceled. It’s important. ”
clock: Claims made by Trump’s lawyers claiming immunity from prosecution on January 6th
After two of Mr. Trump’s lawyers gave their traditional closing arguments Thursday, one of them, Christopher Kise, again asked the judge whether Mr. Trump could speak. Engoron asked Trump if he would adhere to previously laid out guidelines, including not trying to introduce new evidence and not giving campaign speeches.
Trump then began speaking.
“This is a fraud against me. What happened here is a fraud against me,” Trump said. He later accused the judge of not listening to him. “I know this is boring for you.”
“Control your client,” Engoron warned Kise.
Engoron then told President Trump that he had one minute left to speak and then adjourned.
Lawyers representing New York state were scheduled to deliver closing remarks in the afternoon.
The exchange took place hours after authorities responded to a bomb threat to the judge’s home. Officials said the threat at Mr. Engoron’s Long Island home came a day after Mr. Engoron rejected the former president’s unusual request to close his own courtroom while police investigated. I did it. The procedure was not delayed.
At 5:30 a.m. Thursday, hours before the final day of the trial began, Nassau County police said they responded to Engoron’s home in Great Neck for a “swatting incident.” Officials said nothing unusual was found at the scene.
The false alarm came days after President Trump’s fake 911 call reporting a shooting at the home of a Washington, D.C., criminal judge. This incident is one of a recent spate of similar false reports made at the homes of government employees.
clock: Supreme Court decides whether Brooks, Capehart, Trump should remain on ballot
Engoron took the bench a few minutes late, but made no mention of what happened at home.
Closing arguments began Thursday in a court case over allegations that President Trump exaggerated his wealth in financial statements he provided to banks, insurance companies and others.
“The trial lasted 44 days, but not a single witness came to the honorable court and claimed that there was any wrongdoing,” Kise said, adding that his client did not accept the punishment, which he deemed “corporate responsibility.” He argued that he “should win a medal” for his business acumen. Death penalty. “
New York Attorney General Letitia James (D) is asking a judge to impose a $370 million fine. President Trump insists he did nothing wrong. He claims that an outside accountant who helped prepare the statement should have pointed out the discrepancies, and that the document included a disclaimer absolving him of liability.
The former president had wanted to make that claim privately, but the judge said no after Trump’s lawyers missed a deadline to agree to ground rules, after initially being open to the idea. In it, Engoron warned that President Trump cannot use his final remarks to “make a campaign speech” or use the opportunity to criticize the judges or their staff.
In his closing argument, Kise said, “This entire lawsuit is a fabricated claim in pursuit of political objectives.” “There are press releases and posturing, but no evidence.”
Lawyers from James’ office were scheduled to make closing arguments Thursday afternoon.
Trump returned to court Thursday as a spectator, despite the death of his mother-in-law, Amalia Knabbs, and the start of the presidential primary in the Iowa caucuses on Monday.
clock: Biden blames Trump for the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, saying “we almost lost America” on that day.
Since the trial began on October 2, President Trump has appeared in court nine times to observe the case, testify, challenge television cameras, and call the case a “witch hunt and a disgrace.” is.
He remains under a limited gag order for a 3-1/2-hour standoff with Engoron and state attorneys on the witness stand in November, and for making derogatory and false posts about the judge’s law clerk on social media. It’s dark.
Thursday’s debate was part of a busy legal and political effort for President Trump.
On Tuesday, he appeared in court in Washington, D.C., to appeal whether he will be granted immunity from prosecution on charges of conspiring to overturn the 2020 election, one of four criminal charges against him. I listened to the trial argument. Mr. Trump has maintained his innocence.
In New York, Mr. James sued Mr. Trump in 2022 under a state law that gives the state attorney general broad powers to investigate persistent allegations of fraud in business transactions.
Kise argued that the lawsuit amounted to the “weaponization” of consumer protection laws, and urged Engoron to consider his accomplishments as a judge, saying a ruling in favor of the state would be a “weaponization” of consumer protection laws. warned that it would have a chilling effect on
Mr. Engoron decided some of the key issues before testimony began. The pretrial ruling found that Trump had committed years of fraud by lying about his wealth in financial statements, including by claiming his Trump Tower penthouse was nearly three times larger than it actually was.
The case includes six pending claims, including allegations of conspiracy, insurance fraud and falsifying business records.
Trump’s companies and two sons, Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr., are also named defendants. Eric Trump also appeared in court for closing arguments.
In addition to monetary damages, Mr. James is seeking a ban on Mr. Trump and his co-defendants from doing business in New York.
By presenting himself as wealthy, Mr. Trump was able to qualify for better loan terms from banks, saving him at least $168 million, state attorneys said.
Kise acknowledged that some holdings may have been listed “higher for insignificant amounts,” but added that “there are many assets that are undervalued for large amounts.” Ta.
Engoron said he was deciding the case because neither side had asked for a jury and state law does not allow for a jury in these types of cases. He said he hoped to make a decision by the end of the month.
In a ruling last month denying the defense’s bid for an early verdict, the justices signaled they were inclined to find Trump and his co-defendants liable for at least some of the claims.
“As this trial has made clear, evaluations can be based on different criteria analyzed in different ways,” Engoron said in his Dec. 18 ruling. “But a lie is a lie.”
Associated Press writer Michelle L. Price contributed to this report.
