“You Are Starting to Sound Like Your Client”: Judge Engoron’s Hilarious Response to Trump Attorney’s Request

Jo ShawNov 22, 2023

Minute Read

Trump’s attorney, Chris Kise, a long-time Republican, has come to blows with Judge Engoron on multiple occasions. The judge overseeing the NY criminal fraud trial has accused Kise of misogyny and mistreatment of his staff, forced Kise to apologize to state attorneys for his comments, and even accused Kise of sounding like his client, Trump.

I’d Like to Be Fired

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Kise is representing Trump in his New York fraud trial. During a break between defense witnesses, ABC News reported a “moment of levity” between Judge Engoron and Kise, who have repeatedly come to blows. When the judge asked why Kise had not been questioning defense witnesses, Kise answered, “There’s still time left,” ABC reported that Kise stated, “he prefers to coach his team from the sideline like famed New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick or Jimbo Fisher.” “I’d like to be fired from my job and collecting $77 million,” Kise reportedly joked with the Judge.

Engoron May Arrange That

Engoron responded to Kise’s comment by stating, “I’ll see if I can arrange that,” Chris Kise, the attorney representing Trump, has consistently asserted that state lawyers have not met any legal standards in substantiating allegations of conspiracy, insurance fraud, and falsifying business records.

Trump’s World Class Facility

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The judge has remarked that Kise’s statements bear a striking resemblance to those of his client, Trump. Specifically, when discussing the Trump Organization’s renovation of the Old Post Office building, Kise highlighted Trump’s achievement in turning the property from a “hulking relic” into a “world-class facility.”

Kise Sounds Like His Client

Judge Arthur Engoron responded to the description by saying, “You are starting to sound like your client,” as reported by ABC News.

There’s No Victim

Kise has argued on Trump’s behalf, “There’s no victim. There’s no complainant. There’s no injury. All of that is established now by the evidence.”

Trump’s Experience

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Kise has also requested that the judge give “special weight” to Trump’s testimony, citing his client’s experience as a real estate developer. Kise said in real estate matters, “If my choices were Donald Trump or Attorney General James, respectfully, I would go with Donald Trump.”

AG James Not Qualified

Kise further argued that AG Letitia James was substituting her judgment “for that of the banks and, frankly, for that of someone who has been involved in the real estate industry for 50 years.”

Kise Attacked Cohen’s Credibility

In the course of the trial, Kise also challenged Michael Cohen’s credibility. Cohen had asserted in his testimony that Trump instructed them to inflate the value of his real estate assets to “whatever number Trump told us to,” according to Cohen. Kise argued that Cohen’s “pathetic performance” weakened the state’s case when he later recanted from his initial testimony.

Kise Implied “Secretary” Was Co-judging Trial

Kise objected to the exchange of notes between the Judge and his legal aide, referred to as a “secretary,” insinuating that she was participating in “co-judging” the trial. This triggered a strong reaction from Engoron, who reportedly forcefully struck his bench.

Judge Accused Kise of Misogyny

Engoron spoke strongly to Kise, “Sometimes I think there may be a bit of misogyny in the fact that you keep referring to my female principal law clerk,” The judge continued, “If there is any further reference to anyone on my staff—and I don’t have a big staff, I have about three people—I will consider expanding the gag order to include the attorneys, including yourself.” The gag order was then extended to include Trump’s lawyers.

Kise Received Gag Order From Judge

Judge Engoron noted when extending the gag order, “Since the commencement of this bench trial, my chambers have been inundated with hundreds of harassing and threatening phone calls, voicemails, emails, letters, and packages. The First Amendment right of defendants and their attorneys to comment on my staff is far and away outweighed by the need to protect them from threats and physical harm,”

Serious Sanctions May Follow

Engoron additionally emphasized his “unfettered right” to confer with his staff during the trial, cautioning that any violations of the gag order would be met with “serious sanctions.”

Kise’s Representation

MSNBC has recently commented on Kise’s approach to representing his client. The article stated, “Trump’s attorneys have taken a different approach. They visibly stand behind Trump when he speaks outside the courtroom. They watch as he lambastes the court and the attorney general, lending what appears to be their tacit approval.”

Witness Has Not Testified Better

MSNBC noted Kise’s comments, “I have not had a witness testify better.” The article stated, “Kise is an accomplished lawyer. I have to imagine there’s been an expert witness or two in his career who has testified better than Trump. But there’s nothing wrong with a little hype about one’s client.”

State Attorney Belongs in Russia

Kise’s evident frustration surfaced as he criticized state attorneys during the proceedings. When state attorney Andrew Amer advocated for a motion to prevent specific expert defense witnesses from testifying, Kise, in his exasperation, insinuated that Amer’s stance belonged in Russia.

Putin Has Some Openings

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Kise argued, “I suggest Mr. Amer check the internet. Vladimir Putin has some openings. That is where he belongs.”

Kise Told to Apologize

Judge Engoron reportedly stated that Kise’s comment was “completely uncalled for,” and requested an apology. After stating he would not apologize for his comments, he changed his mind, “I am going to apologize to the court. I am going to apologize to Mr. Amer,” Kise said.

Played a Pivotal Role in DeSantis Election

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In an article by Politico, it was noted that Kise “played a pivotal role in the 2018 election contest between DeSantis and Democratic nominee Andrew Gillum.” The article highlighted that Kise “was also once solicitor general under then-Attorney General Charlie Crist when Crist was still in the GOP.”

Kise Has Close Ties to Florida Republicans

Historically, Chris Kise has maintained a close association with Florida Republicans, establishing affiliations with figures such as Governor Ron DeSantis and Senator Rick Scott, the former two-term governor of the state. At one point, Kise pursued a candidacy for the state senate in 1998.