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The judge in former President Donald Trump’s fraud trial in New York has banned him from speaking in his own defense during closing arguments later this week. The former president, 77, is a defendant in the case brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James. His New York business empire is at stake and James has asked that his company be fined $370 million for inflating real estate prices to get favorable loan deals.
A lawyer for Trump informed Judge Arthur Engoron earlier this week that the ex-president wanted to speak during closing arguments and Engoron initially approved the plan, The Associated Press reported. Now Engoron has withdrawn the move, even though Trump is still expected to appear.
It is extremely unusual for defendants who have an attorney to speak on their own behalf. Engoron agreed to the move, but set boundaries and said he was inclined to “let everyone have their say.”
The judge then said Trump should adhere to what attorneys say in closing arguments, which includes “commentary on the relevant, material facts presented, and the application of the relevant law to those facts.” The former president would not “comment on irrelevant matters” or “make a campaign speech.” He also should not criticize the judge, his staff, Attorney General James, her attorneys or the legal system, Engoron wrote, according to the AP.
Trump’s lawyer Christopher Kise told Engoron that these restrictions were unfair and that the ex-president could not agree to them. This prompted Engoron to halt Trump’s plan. Trump was extremely critical of the players in this case. On Friday, after James Engoron asked for him to pay $370 million — up from $250 million — Trump made the decision while campaigning in Sioux Center, Iowa, on Friday evening.
“So if you don’t mind, I was a little angry when I walked in.” Did you notice the anger? Maybe not. But the corrupt AG wants $370 million in compensation for what I did and I did nothing wrong. Nothing,” Trump said. “This is weaponry at a level no one has ever seen.” Later, at his second rally in Mason City, Iowa, Trump attacked James again, but this time he called her a “big New York slob.”
Trump is prohibited from destroying court personnel in the case under a silence order upheld by a New York state appeals court in mid-December after he posted a photo of Engoron’s clerk posing with Chuck Schumer, leader of the majority of the Democratic Senate, and falsely claimed she was Schumer’s “girlfriend.”
Thursday’s court appearance will mark the second time Trump has had to leave the presidential campaign trail to address his legal drama ahead of the first contest of 2024, Monday’s caucuses in Iowa. On Tuesday, Trump returned to Washington, D.C. for a hearing as he tries to win immunity from charges stemming from special counsel Jack Smith’s investigation into 2020 and January 6 election interference.
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