In early January, it became known that the prosecution in New York requested testimony from former US President Donald Trump and his two oldest children. This in connection with a civil investigation.
The case is related to an ongoing investigation of the family’s business practices, more specifically an “investigation into the valuation of properties owned or controlled” by Trump and his company Trump Organization.
Trump’s lawyers wanted to block the subpoenas. Judge Arthur Engoron does not want any of that.
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– No one is above the law
Trump’s lawyers protested strongly during the two-hour hearing, but Judge Engoron chose to reject Trump’s attempt.
On Thursday afternoon, local time, the judge ruled that Trump and his two children must testify under oath.
He also asks them to submit relevant documents within two weeks, according to Politico.
– No one should be allowed to stand in the way of the pursuit of justice, no matter how powerful they are. Donald Trump, Donald Trump jr. and Ivanka Trump must comply with this ruling and testify before my office within 21 days. No one is above the law, writes New York’s Attorney General Letitia James Twitter.
It is expected that the decision will be appealed, writes the news agency AP.
Slaughters own party: – Violent rebellion
Demanded immunity
There are two parallel investigations into Trump’s company. When the lawyers were to present their arguments to the judge, Trump’s lawyers accused James’ office of trying to use testimonies from Trump and his children for the parallel criminal investigation, writes Reuters.
If Trump testifies in the civil case, what he says can be used against him in the criminal investigation, writes the news agency AP.
One of the lawyers, Ronald Fischetti, said the former president would need immunity before testifying. He will thus avoid having to invoke the fifth constitutional amendment against self-incrimination.
– If she (Letitia James journ.anm.) Wants a certificate from my client, he is entitled to immunity. He gets immunity for what he says, otherwise he says nothing, Fischetti said.
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– Must stop one
The lawyer from James’ office, Kevin Wallace, told the judge that it is not unusual for a civil and a criminal investigation to take place at the same time, writes AP.
Alina Habba, also one of Trump’s lawyers, accused James of using the civilian investigation to gather evidence for the criminal investigation.
– You put my client, and Don and Ivanka, in a position where they either have to state evidence in a civil investigation, or they have to use their constitutional right not to testify and thus trigger an unfortunate conclusion in the civil case.
She asked the judge how fair this was.
– We have to stop one, she says about the investigations.
ACCUSED: Allen Weisselberg pictured with Trump and Donald Trump jr. in 2017. Photo: AP Photo / Evan Vucci
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– Witch hunt
Trump has claimed that the investigation is politically motivated and has accused Justice Minister James of violating his constitutional rights to blacken him.
In the past, the Republican president has mentioned both James’ investigation and the parallel criminal investigation from the prosecution in Manhattan, as part of a witch hunt.
“The Trump family must consent to legal voting for documents and diplomas, because no one in this country can choose for themselves how the law applies to them,” James said in a statement ahead of today’s court hearing, writes The Guardian.
The civilian investigation partially overlaps with the forensic investigation led by District Attorney Alvin Bragg. Last summer, Trump Organization’s CFO Alen Weisselberg pleaded not guilty after being charged with fraud, theft and tax fraud.
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