Judge Arthur Engoron overseeing Donald Trump’s civil fraud case erupted at Trump attorney Chris Kise, admonishing him for what the judge deemed a misogynistic comment about his law clerk, Allison Greenfield.
During Thursday’s hearing, Judge Engoron, who had previously issued a gag order and fined Trump for targeting Greenfield, reprimanded Kise after the attorney referred to Greenfield in a disrespectful manner. “Do not refer to my staff again,” Judge Engoron warned Kise, declaring, “She’s a civil servant.”
Kise, in his defense, claimed he wasn’t being misogynistic and argued that he had a right to question Greenfield’s behavior. He continued to accuse Greenfield of bias, stating that she had written notes against the defense, further infuriating Judge Engoron.
The tension escalated when Kise took a jab at Greenfield, suggesting she had a personal note for him, to which Judge Engoron exclaimed, “That is an absolutely crazy thing to say to a judge.” The incident left onlookers, including conservative attorney George Conway and former federal prosecutor Elizabeth de la Vega, astonished at Kise’s behavior.
This courtroom outburst followed an earlier incident where Kise engaged in a “verbal altercation” with Greenfield and attorney general counsel Colleen Faherty during a private discussion with Judge Engoron. Witnesses reported Kise’s dismissive comments, his questioning of Faherty’s intelligence, and his refusal to be respectful, leading to a tense atmosphere within the courtroom.
Legal experts and observers expressed their shock at Kise’s behavior. Former Trump fixer Michael Cohen, a key witness in the trial, condemned Kise, noting, “Chris Kise, there’s something seriously wrong with him.” Cohen highlighted the attorney’s pattern of denigrating behavior, emphasizing the potential consequences of such actions during a high-profile trial.
Judge Engoron’s firm response has drawn support from legal professionals, including former U.S. Attorney Joyce Vance, who affirmed the importance of protecting courthouse personnel from abuse, regardless of the parties involved.
As the trial continues, the courtroom dynamics remain tense, with Judge Engoron firmly asserting his authority and commitment to maintaining a respectful environment during proceedings.
