“He Always Rules Against Me!”: Trump Launches Attack on New York Judge and Calls Proceedings “Political Warfare”

Amy LewisNov 9, 2023

Minute Read

Donald Trump made his feelings about the judge overseeing his fraud trial in New York City perfectly clear once again, this time right before him in the courtroom. And again the judge didn’t like it.

Taking the Stand

Trump was giving testimony in a $250 million civil fraud trial that threatens his real estate empire when he told prosecutor Kevin Wallace, who had been questioning him, that his defense was essentially hopeless because of the judge, Arther Engoron.

‘Rules Against Me’

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Trump told the packed courtroom in Manhattan, New York City, while refusing to directly answer Wallace’s question: “I’m sure the judge will rule against me because he always rules against me, but this is well beyond the statute of limitations.”

Judge: ‘Just Answer the Questions’

Judge Engoron replied to Trump: “You can attack me in whichever way you want, but please answer the questions.”

Frustrated Judge

Judge Engoron grew increasingly frustrated at long and rambling answers Trump gave to the prosecutor and repeatedly ordered him to answer properly. “Please just answer the questions; no speeches. Some of your answers have not been responsive to the questions.”

Still Not Answering

Following another evasive and lengthy answer from Trump, Judge Engoron addressed his legal team and said: Can you control your client? This is not a political rally, this is a courtroom.”

“I beseech you to control him,” he said. “If you can’t, I will.” The judge has already fined Trump $15,000 for breaking a gag order after he attacked people involved in the case.

AG in Court Too

Also in court was New York Attorney General Letitia James, a Democrat who brought the fraud charges against the former Republican president, his adult sons and executives at the Trump Organization real estate company.

The Fraud Allegations

The defendants are charged with illegally inflating the value of their many properties — from Trump Tower in Manhattan to golf courses and Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort home in Florida — to secure favorable loans from institutions including Germany’s Deutsche Bank.

Denial of Charges

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Arriving at court to give testimony on Monday, Trump lashed out at the proceedings as “political warfare” by Democrats trying to keep him out of the White House as he mounts a campaign for the 2024 presidential election.

‘Sad Situation’

Trump told reporters outside the courtroom: “These are political operatives that I’m going to be dealing with right now. It’s a very sad situation for our country. We shouldn’t have this.”

Fraud Findings

Judge Engoron has already determined that fraud was committed at the Trump Organization, saying there was evidence pointing to years of wrongdoing by the defendants.

Licenses Revoked

After finding evidence of fraud, Judge Engoron — who alone is deciding the case — canceled several business licenses belonging to the Trump Organization, putting Trump’s famous company in jeopardy. If Trump appeals and loses, he may not be able to do business in New York.

Trump Organization Control

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Judge Engoron has also appointed an independent monitor to keep an eye on operations at the Trump Organization, further stoking fury from the former president.

$250m Fine

Prosecutors are seeking a fine of at least $250 million in the case, and they want Trump barred from doing business in New York ever again.

White House Run

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Trump’s many legal headaches come at a time when he is the leading candidate for the Republican Party nomination in primaries to be held in January. He has an approximate 50-point lead over GOP rivals including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, making him the clear favorite to be selected for the run.

Biden and Trump?

On the Democratic side, President Biden is also the clear favorite for the party’s nomination, with almost no competition and national polling around 70 percent favorability. If he and Trump become the candidates, it would be a re-run of the controversial 2020 election, the result of which Trump refused to accept.

Too Old to Run?

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But there are growing concerns among Republicans, Democrats and ordinary voters that Biden, 80, and Trump, 77, are too old to campaign for the White House and potentially for one of them to run the country. A series of gaffes by both men did little to dispel the fears.