President Trump criticized Judge Arthur Engoron during a media briefing on Monday following an Appellate Court hearing in his New York civil fraud case. The hearing resulted in a substantial reduction of his bond amount.
Judge Engoron had previously imposed a fine of $355 million on Trump, with daily interest that eventually reached $464 million. This penalty was seen as punishment for Trump’s alleged unethical business practices and for his role in job creation within New York state.
New York Attorney General Letitia James, known for her radical Marxist views, spent the entire month of February provoking Trump by sharing a daily tally of the accumulating interest on the judgment.
+$114,553.04 = $464,805,336.70 https://t.co/gugrACDTpC
— NY AG James (@NewYorkStateAG) February 25, 2024
Letitia James pursued $370 million in alleged damages in a fraud case where no victim was identified. Additionally, she aimed to prohibit Trump and his sons from conducting business in New York, accusing Trump of exaggerating his assets and deceiving lenders and insurers without evidence or justification.
Critics view this as an effort by a politically biased Attorney General and Judge to seize Trump’s assets and undermine his position as a prominent Presidential candidate.
The New York appellate court has decided that President Trump can provide a $175 million bond to satisfy Letitia James’ $464 million judgment.
Trump has been given a ten-day extension to post the $175 million bond after an appellate court ruling on Monday.
Last Thursday, Letitia James initiated the process to seize Trump’s assets by filing judgments in Westchester County, where his private estate and golf course Seven Springs is situated.
President Trump had until Monday to settle the judgment or seek permission from the appellate court for a payment deferral pending appeal.
Trump took to Truth Social after the decision:
“Judge Engoron has refused to obey the decision of the Appellate Division relative to the Statute of Limitations. This is a confrontation between a Judge and those that rule above him – A very bad situation in which to place New York State and the Rule of Law! Engoron has disrespected the Appellate Division and its very clear and precise ruling. He should be made to do so, and at the same time, release the GAG ORDER. This is the 5th time in this case that he has been overturned, a record. His credibility, and that of Letitia James, has been shattered. We will abide by the decision of the Appellate Division, and post either a bond, equivalent securities, or cash. This also shows how ridiculous and outrageous Engoron’s original decision was at $450 Million. I DID NOTHING WRONG, AND NEW YORK SHOULD NEVER BE PUT IN A POSITION LIKE THIS AGAIN. BUSINESSES ARE FLEEING, VIOLENT CRIME IS FLOURISHING, AND IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT THIS BE RESOLVED IN ITS TOTALITY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THANK YOU!” Trump said in a Truth Social post.
In a follow up post, Trump demanded Letitia James and Judge Engoron explain why he ruled that Mar-a-Lago was only worth $18 million.
“Judge Engoron and Letitia James should be forced to explain why he ruled that Mar-a-Lago was worth $18,000,000 when, in fact, it is worth from 50 to 100 times that amount. How did the Attorney General of the State of New York force this Corrupt Judge to do that in order to help her narrative – AND WHY?” Trump said.
President Trump also gave a statement to reporters outside of the courthouse, slamming Engoron for his “terrible disservice to the state of New York,” which he says is “being battered by his decision.”
Trump concluded, “Judge Engoron is a disgrace to this country, and this should not be allowed to happen.”
One liberal hack reporter can be heard after Trump finished his remarks, asking, “Did you accept foreign money to pay the bond?”
Trump released the following statement via Fox:
TRUMP: Thank you very much, Judge Engoron has done a terrible disservice to the state of New York. What he’s done is terrible. Businesses are fleeing. You see that we just released a statement on Truth. Businesses are fleeing and crime is flourishing all over the state, and what he’s done is such a disservice and should never be allowed to happen again. New York State is being battered by his decision. So, I greatly respect the decision of the Appellate Division and I’ll post either $175 million in cash, or bonds, or security, or whatever is necessary, very quickly within the ten days, and I thank the Appellate Division for acting quickly. But Judge Engoron is a disgrace to this country, and this should not be allowed to happen. Thank you very much.
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