Former President Donald Trump was compelled to testify in his bank fraud trial by a New York judge, who accused him of hurling an insult at the judge’s law clerk. Justice Arthur F. Engoron, presiding over the trial, declared Trump not credible after a brief testimony and imposed a $10,000 fine, to be paid within 30 days.
The incident occurred when Trump, during a court break, held an impromptu press conference outside the courtroom, criticizing a person he deemed partisan, indirectly referencing attorney Allison Greenfield, who advises the judge on the case. Engoron promptly warned Trump’s lawyers of violating the gag order issued at the trial’s beginning.
Following a lunch break, Engoron conducted an unexpected hearing, ordering Trump to the witness stand, marking the first time the former president testified in his ongoing legal battles. Engoron asked Trump if he was referring to his principal law clerk when he accused someone of being partisan. Despite Trump’s attempt to divert the accusation toward Michael Cohen, Engoron found his defense unconvincing.
Engoron, visibly frustrated, dismissed Trump from the witness box, leading to protests from defense lawyers Christopher Kise and Alina Habba. Despite objections, Engoron upheld his ruling, resuming the trial thereafter.
