Sophia Flores of OAN
12:03 PM – Wednesday, January 10, 2024
Judge Arthur Engoron denied Donald Trump's request to address the court during closing arguments in his civil business fraud trial in New York.
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In a letter to the defense on Wednesday, Judge Engoron informed Trump's lawyers and the prosecution team, led by New York Attorney General Letitia James, that he had rescinded the former president's request to speak Thursday. He said the decision was made because President Trump did not agree with the restrictions imposed on him if given the opportunity to speak.
“Since I have not heard from you by the third extension deadline (noon today), Mr. Trump agrees to the reasonable and lawful restrictions that I have imposed as a precondition to making a closing statement beyond what his lawyers have offered. “I don't think he will.' Therefore, he will not speak in court tomorrow,” he wrote.
Judge Engoron initially approved Trump's request to speak. But he later said the former president was only allowed to comment on “the material relevant facts in the evidence and the application of relevant law to those facts.”
The judge also argued that the 2024 Republican front-runner should not be allowed to introduce new information into the case. President Trump should not “comment on irrelevant matters” or “make campaign speeches” in his closing remarks, according to Engoron newspaper.
From the beginning, the attorney general's office was adamantly opposed to the idea of Trump speaking during the defense's closing arguments.
“If Mr. Trump's closing argument is allowed, there will be more speeches that 'unreasonably interfere' with the proceedings,” said Andrew Ammar, a prosecuting attorney.
When James first sued Trump in fall 2022, she asked a judge to fine Trump $250 million for “inflating his net worth to maintain better loans” from banks. I asked. Her figure has since increased to $370 million last week, but she now believes “he illegally obtained all of her wealth” through the trial.
In addition to suing 45th As president, she wants to ban his family's company from doing any future business in the Empire State.
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