Former President Donald Trump faced a resolute rejection from Judge Arthur Engoron in his bid to delay scheduled testimony in the New York fraud trial. The trial, marked by legal skirmishes and gag orders, took a dramatic turn as Trump’s attorney, Chris Kise, sought a postponement pending an appeal of the imposed restrictions.
However, Judge Engoron swiftly dismissed the request, declaring, “Absolutely not. No way. No how. It’s a nonstarter.” Despite acknowledging Kise’s efforts, the judge remained steadfast in maintaining the trial’s schedule, setting the stage for a contentious legal face-off.
This latest development follows previous reports of gag orders placed on Trump and his legal team, as outlined by Salon on December 6. The orders were a response to alleged targeting of court staff, adding an extra layer of complexity to an already heated trial.
Amidst the legal wrangling, Trump’s attorney revealed that Eric Trump, initially slated to testify, would no longer be part of the defense’s case. Taking to Truth Social, Trump claimed responsibility for his son’s sudden withdrawal, alleging a rigged trial orchestrated by Attorney General Letitia James.
“I told my wonderful son, Eric, not to testify tomorrow at the RIGGED TRIAL,” Trump asserted, accusing James of bias and perpetuating a corrupt witch hunt against him.
Despite the defense’s initial plan to conclude its case post-Trump’s testimony, the former president insisted on taking the stand on Monday. Trump’s social media outburst took aim at Judge Engoron, demanding sanctions and his removal from the bench.
Trump contended that the gag order was a ploy to silence him, despite its scope only encompassing restrictions on attacks against court staff, excluding the judge and the attorney general’s team.
Legal analysts, including MSNBC’s Lisa Rubin, cast doubt on Trump’s sincerity, highlighting the contradiction between his claim of unconcern about testifying and his legal team’s attempt to delay testimony until the appeal of the gag order was resolved.
Engoron, who had previously held Trump accountable for persistent fraud, imposed the gag orders after Trump and his legal team targeted his law clerk, Allison Greenfield. The clerk faced threats and disparagement, with Trump falsely accusing her of a romantic involvement with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and alleging bias in the judge’s rulings.
Despite a brief pause on the gag orders during an appeal, the court reinstated them, prompting Engoron to warn Trump’s team about strict enforcement. The trial remains a high-stakes legal battle, underscoring the ongoing clash between the former president and the New York legal system.
