New York Attorney General Tish James was called a racist by Donald Trump. She was able to get him for a deposition on Wednesday. James has been investigating whether Trump inflated his real estate holdings. She said in court papers that she needed to collect testimony from Trump and determine his knowledge of the alleged wrongdoing to resolve her investigation. It looks like the deposition won't make a difference. Trump decided to plead his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.
I once asked why you were taking the Fifth Amendment. Trump said in a statement that he knows the answer to the question. When your family, your company, and all the people in your circle have become the target of a politically motivated witch hunt supported by lawyers, prosecutors, and the Fake News Media, you have no choice.
James said she was in the room when Trump refused to answer questions.
A spokesman for the AG said that the office conducted a deposition of the former president. The attorney general took part in the deposition in which Mr. Trump invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. The facts and the law will be pursued by the attorney general. Our investigation is still going on.
Observers pointed to Andrew Cuomo's 11-hour interview with James, which was one of the last steps before she released her final report on his, as evidence that the investigation is in its final stages.
According to legal experts, the former president may have something to hide if he makes a decision like that.
Bonventre is a professor and director of the Center for Judicial Process in New York.
James could potentially use that perception to his advantage.
"James can claim that, well, he pleads the Fifth, then he's worried about potentially having some criminal liability and therefore her investigation is meritorious and she can proceed with bringing claims against him and proceed to trial." I think that Trump will say, "Well, I'm not going to answer any questions, because this is a kangaroo court, and no one would listen to me anyways."
That is what Trump said in his Wednesday statement, linking James' investigation with federal agents searching his Mar-a-Lago estate.
The FBI raid on my home, Mar-a-Lago, just two days prior to this deposition, wiped out any uncertainty that I might have had. The current administration and many prosecutors in this country have lost all moral and ethical bounds of decency.
The courts have rejected Trump's claims that the case is politically motivated.
A crush of media followed the former president from his apartment to the Attorney General's office. There is a wednesday morning. As he left for the deposition, Trump waved at onlookers and held a fist in the air. Around 9 a.m., he arrived at James' office on Liberty Street.
The entrance to the garage where Trump's motorcade entered and stood guard throughout the morning was surrounded by a crowd of people.
Even though Trump said he would invoke his right against self-incrimination, he remained in the attorney general's office for several hours.
The Attorney General is trying to connect Trump to the alleged wrongdoing.
Whether or not he himself is directly connected to the statements that they claim are false or misrepresented in the tax filing is a question that they may not be able to solve without his testimony. She might not be able to build a case that specifically implicates him if they don't have documentary evidence or testimony from other people.
The numerous misstatements and omissions made by him or on his behalf are essential components of resolving OAG's investigation.
The Trump Organization used fraudulent or misleading asset valuations to get favorable loans and other economic benefits, she said. James said that Trump submitted snapshots of his assets and net worth to banks and insurers.
If you can't prove that he knew about the falsity, can you prove that he committed the violation? There is an issue that needs to be argued in court.
At least Trump won't give James more fodder.
It would have been better if he'd answered questions. He gets himself into trouble by talking too much. He would add to the evidence against him. I don't think his lawyers would want him to answer questions They are familiar with what he does. Tell him to shut up.
James dropped out of the governor's race to run for attorney general. One political analyst said that she can continue to show she is focused on Trump's alleged misdeeds as she seeks a second term in November.
Donald Trump is unpopular in New York. Steven Greenberg is a poll spokesman for the Siena College Research Institute. This can only be a benefit for James. It can't be a political hit for her.
Joseph made a contribution to the report.
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