Former President Trump Seeks to Deliver Closing Statements in New York Fraud Trial
Former President Donald Trump Wants to Deliver Closing Arguments Himself
Former President Donald Trump is seeking permission to deliver part of his closing arguments in his New York fraud trial himself. This unusual request is actually allowed under state civil-procedure rules, but it will ultimately be up to the judge to decide whether to grant Trump’s request. Closing arguments are scheduled for Thursday, and New York Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron has not yet made a decision.
The Legal Basis for Trump’s Request
According to the Civil Practice Law and Rules in New York, a plaintiff or defendant in a lawsuit can only act in person with the court’s consent. Trump’s defense attorney, Alina Habba, has not commented on the request, and a spokesperson for Trump has also not provided immediate comment.
Potential Outcome of Trump’s Request
Legal experts note that while it is highly unusual for a defendant to contribute to closing arguments in a civil case, it is not prohibited by the rules. Approving Trump’s request would not likely have any negative consequences for Judge Engoron, as he would likely not be reversed on appeal due to this decision. If Trump is allowed to deliver closing arguments, he would have to adhere to the same rules as an attorney, and can only argue based on the evidence presented in the trial, what has not been shown by the evidence, and reasonable inferences that can be drawn from the evidence.
Background on the Fraud Trial
The closing arguments in this trial mark the final stage of New York Attorney General Letitia James’ nearly six-year investigation into Trump and the Trump Organization. The lawsuit alleges that Trump and executives from the Trump Organization conspired to fraudulently inflate Trump’s net worth by billions of dollars in annual financial statements. James’ office is seeking repayment of $370 million in ill-gotten gains from Trump and his co-defendants.
Trump has consistently denied the allegations of fraud and has portrayed the trial as a political witch hunt. Engoron has stated that he will deliver a verdict by the end of the month. The upcoming verdict will determine the liability of Trump and his co-defendants and the potential financial penalties.
