Former US President Trump is rarely at a loss for a word. But when asked about the shady business practices of his real estate empire, he said nothing. Peace may become more of a problem.
Former President Trump had expressed his disdain for Chief Justice Letitia James before the poll. “Meet the racist New York Attorney General to continue the biggest witch hunt in history,” Donald Trump said on his campaign channel, Truth Social. The African American has the “most luxurious, beautiful and expensive” office, while “people are being murdered all over New York”.
But inside this office in the middle of Manhattan’s financial district, the 76-year-old was unusually calm Wednesday. He gave only his name during the more than four-hour hearing under oath, and later invoked the Fifth Amendment. This provision allows suspects to refuse to testify if they incriminate themselves. “One answer,” Trump monologued to each question, according to the media — more than 400 times.
Former President Donald Trump is facing many problems in the judiciary
According to legal experts, there are good reasons for the silence of the political loudmouth: very easily, the billionaire could have been involved in conflicts with a report in the investigation of the fraudulent business practices of his corporate empire, which has been running for three years. However, politically and legally, refusing to testify can become a problem for the individual. After all, he declared in 2016: “Only the Mafia enforces the Fifth Amendment.”
Trump has problems everywhere in the judiciary right now. Monday only The FBI raided his Mar-a-Lago home in Florida and seized a dozen boxes, according to media reports. The former president is at risk of possible criminal prosecution for creating classified documents from the White House after the transition. On Tuesday, the FBI seized Republican Rep. Scott Perry’s cell phone. It’s about Trump’s attempt to subvert Congress’ proper determination of the election outcome.
Trump’s auditors have stopped cooperating
In Manhattan, at the center of the investigation is not the politician, but the businessman Donald Trump. According to findings by the state attorney’s office, the billionaire and his aides allegedly miscalculated the value of his golf clubs, hotels and other properties to make them as small or large as needed. Specifically, losses were reported to the tax office. In insurance companies and banks, cheap loans and conditions are allegedly obtained through fraud with exaggerated information. Mazar, Trump’s longtime accounting firm, has ended its employment with him.
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Attorney General James is investigating the civil case. Unlike in criminal proceedings, refusal to testify is viewed negatively as a form of admission of guilt. So observers believe Trump’s silence will help the prosecution. “Trump feels the risk of criminal self-incrimination outweighs the damage he would do by refusing to testify in civil proceedings,” analyzed Max Kennerly, a prominent civil attorney and justice blogger.
Trump once teased Hillary Clinton like this
After Trump’s children have already been questioned — Eric Trump refused to testify, Ivanka and Donald Jr. spoke — Democrat James must now decide whether to control or negotiate with the former president’s business activities. A compromise of interests is common with high penalties in the United States.
It’s unclear how much the practice will damage Trump politically. Possible number manipulations may forgive him generously or recognize him as a wise move. But Trump’s anxious silence doesn’t match his unwavering self-image as a man who promotes himself at every opportunity. “Why invoke the Fifth Amendment when you’re innocent?” He teased a few years back. It was about his opponent, Hillary Clinton.
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