Trump Attacks Judge In NY Fraud Case, Day After Being Fined For Violating Gag Order: ‘HE HAS GONE CRAZY’
Former President Donald Trump continued his unprecedented attacks on the judge and prosecution in his New York civil fraud trial on Thursday, a day after being fined for violating a partial gag order.
Judge Arthur Engoron briefly put Trump on the stand Wednesday and asked him to explain a statement he made to reporters earlier in the day that included a dig at his law clerk. Trump had told reporters in the courthouse, “This judge is a very partisan judge, with a person who’s very partisan sitting alongside of him, perhaps even much more partisan than he is.”
Engoron slapped a partial gag order on Trump in early October after the former president attacked the law clerk on social media, named her, and posted a link to her personal Instagram account. The order barred Trump from further attacks or efforts to intimidate courtroom staff.
Trump said he was not referring to the law clerk in his jab, but Engoron ruled his denial “is not credible” and fined Trump $10,000. The judge also warned, “Don’t do it again, or it will be worse.” Trump had previously been fined $5,000 for the initial attack on the law clerk remaining on his campaign website despite the order to remove the post, which Trump had deleted from his Truth Social account.
Trump on Thursday morning tore into Engoron on Truth Social, writing:
The Judge in the New York State A.G. case refuses to accept the overturning of his decisions by the Appeals Court. This is a first in the history of the State! HE HAS GONE CRAZY IN HIS HATRED OF “TRUMP.” Also, their “STAR” witness just admitted his statements were all a big lie. He broke down in court. The Radical Left Judge said he doesn’t care. He is trying to protect RACIST A.G. Letitia James, who has no case, lost the appeal, but has a tyrannical and unhinged Trump Hating Judge. She campaigned for A.G. on, “I Will Get Trump,” long before she knew anything about me. This is Judicial Misconduct, coupled with Prosecutorial Misconduct, and somebody from the State of New York must step in and stop this Complete & Total Miscarriage of Justice!
New York Attorney General Letitia James (D) spoke to reporters on Wednesday and rebutted Trump’s wild claims regarding the case and the witness testimony:
This has been a four year investigation, and there is mountains of evidence which basically corroborate the testimony of a number of witnesses.
It’s also important to know that Michael Cohen is not the main witness. His evidence has been corroborated by the mountains of evidence, enough evidence to fill the courtroom!
And so I look forward again to this trial continuing. And I look always, and I have, of course, I always look forward to justice. Thank you very much.
The judge has already found Trump liable for the alleged fraud in a summary ruling and the trial is ongoing to determine penalties. James is seeking a $250,000 million fine and to bar Trump and his adult sons from doing business in New York state, which could effectively dissolve his company.
