New York Court Rulings on Trump’s Case
New York Attorney General Letitia James may be facing setbacks in her legal battles against President Donald Trump, according to George Washington University law professor Jonathan Turley. On Thursday, the New York Court of Appeals determined that a $355 million civil penalty imposed by Judge Arthur Engoron in February 2024 was unconstitutional due to its violation of the Eighth Amendment, which prohibits excessive fines.
During an appearance on “Faulkner Focus,” Turley referred to the ruling as a “risky victory” for Trump, suggesting it could lead to further successes for the former president. He remarked, “This is a significant win for Trump, but it certainly took a long time to reach this point. Throughout this lawsuit, many have pointed out that this New York law was being misused. Interestingly, the bank was actually looking for more business from Trump.” Turley highlighted that the aggressive pursuit against Trump seemed particularly aimed at winning a symbolic victory for James, noting that this ruling essentially diminished her case.
He further commented, “The positive outcome is for the New York court system, which needed to restore some credibility lost during this process. There was a strong belief that James was unchallenged in her actions. It’s worth mentioning that she either got very lucky with a sympathetic judge or had a favorable outcome that she didn’t argue against.”
James initially filed the lawsuit against Trump in September 2022, accusing him of inflating the value of his properties to secure loans. She first made headlines during her 2018 Attorney General campaign by calling Trump an “illegal president.” Turley hinted that the appeals court’s decision could positively impact businesses in the state.
“There are still pertinent questions regarding legal relief,” Turley stated. “The courts have addressed these matters. The reassuring news for New Yorkers is that the appeals court sent a clear message to both the business and legal communities: they won’t tolerate abuse of the law.”
Engoron had previously mandated Trump to pay civil penalties and interest, also prohibiting him from holding any leadership position in New York-based companies following a civil trial.
