Former President Donald Trump will not be allowed to deliver his own closing argument in his civil fraud trial in New York on Thursday, the judge overseeing the case said.
Judge Arthur Engoron told Trump’s attorneys that the former president must submit to certain restrictions if he wished to address the court, which Trump’s team did not agree to. The judge said that Trump would have to limit his statement in court to “what is permissible in a counsel’s closing argument, that is, commentary on the relevant, material facts that are in evidence, and application of the relevant law to those facts.”
An email thread added to the case’s docket Wednesday showed negotiations between Engoron and Trump’s attorneys. After extending his deadline for a response, Engoron wrote Wednesday afternoon that Trump would not be allowed to speak.
“Not having heard from you by the third extended deadline (noon today), I assume that Mr. Trump will not agree to the reasonable, lawful limits I have imposed as a precondition to giving a closing statement above and beyond those given by his attorneys, and that, therefore, he will not be speaking in court tomorrow,” the judge wrote.
Incorrect headline.
He would have been able to speak, but decided not to when he realized there would be rules and he couldn’t bring in irrelevant facts and outright lies.
Just throw the man in jail already JFC
This is a civil trial, it is about monetary penalty, so it won’t end up in jail. Ironically it seems like trump was mostly scared of this one.
We know that he will pay at least $250 million based on the summary ruling.
Can’t throw rich people into jail. That is why the civil system exists - you commit crimes while rich, you get part of your money taken away. The more money you have, the more crimes you can do before you become poor. And the poor can definitely be thrown in jail.
Maybe trump only expects to stay out of jail as long as he can pay off people.
I think that it’s worth noting that these were not special restrictions that applied to Trump. The judge said he had to give a closing argument by the same rules as everyone else follows, not make a campaign speech.
“Not having heard from you by the third extended deadline…”
What’s this “third extended deadline” bullshit? Every time I turn around, this asshole is being given yet another chance. Even if the state wants to be sure to dot every i and cross every t, a deadline is a deadline. He needs to put on his big boy Depends and fucking deal with it.
The likely answer is to really really make sure that the court is following the book (or even stretching the book) so it can’t be appealed.
It’s fucking infuriating though. If only we were all so lucky, or if the systems was good enough that the layman’s journey was the same, without extra performative bullshit.
“Can I say something?”
“Only if it is relevant and true.”
“Never mind.”
Removed by mod
Jesus. Look at seven-head behind his right shoulder.
He must have absolutely ravaged that pussy on the way out.
What the fuck is wrong with you?