Judge Arthur Engoron has reportedly changed his mind and has prohibited former President Donald Trump from delivering closing remarks in his New York business fraud trial.
The Hill reports that a day before scheduled closing arguments, Judge Arthur Engoron told Trump's legal team that the former president will not speak in court.
Last week, Trump attorney Chris Kise informed Engoron's principal law clerk that three attorneys and the former president himself intended to give closing remarks. A lawyer with New York attorney general's office immediately objected.
“Mr. Trump is certainly not permitted to do so as of right,” state lawyer Andrew Amer responded in the chain, though acknowledging that the decision was Engoron's to make.
Engoron replied that he would allow Trump to make a closing argument if he promised on the record to “limit his subjects” to what is permissible in a lawyer's closing argument. (RELATED: Trump To Deliver Closing Arguments In Civil Fraud Trial, Sources Say)
Kise replied that Trump could not agree to Engoron's proposed conditions, arguing they are “fraught with ambiguities, creating the substantial likelihood for misinterpretion (sic) or unintended violation.”
Several additional emails between Kise and Engoron followed, including one where Kise informed the court that Trump's mother-in-law had passed away and requested a delay in closing remarks, which Engoron denied.
“This is very unfair, your honor,” Kise said in a Jan. 10 email. “You are not allowing President Trump, who has been wrongfully demeaned and belittled by an out of control, politically motivated Attorney General, to speak about the things that must be spoken about.”
“I won't debate this yet again. Take it or leave it. Now or never,” Engoron replied. “You have until noon, seven minutes from now. I WILL NOT GRANT ANY FURTHER EXTENSIONS.”
Kise did not reply which pushed Engoron to bar Trump from making a closing argument.
This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.
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