The civil fraud trial of former President Donald Trump entered its third week on Tuesday in the Manhattan Supreme Court, marking Trump's first appearance in a fortnight.
Trump, in his characteristic style, dismissed the proceedings as mere "election interference" and criticized Judge Arthur Engoron for being "highly political."
In a statement on TruthSocial, Trump expressed his gratitude towards legal scholars who have defended his innocence. "I greatly appreciate all of the legal professors and scholars that are saying I DID NOTHING WRONG," he stated.
He voiced his frustration over the lack of a jury and the unique nature of the statute under which he is being tried. "I can't have a JURY and am being viciously tried under a Statute that has never been used before," he added.
Trump continued his tirade against the legal system, accusing the judge of being biased and the system of being corrupt. "The Radical Left Democrat Judge, WHO IS HIGHLY POLITICAL, serves as Judge, Jury, and everything else," he said. "America cannot let this happen. Our legal system is corrupt and broken!"
Outside the courtroom, Trump told reporters that his wife, Melania, views the ongoing trial as a "total disgrace." He further implicated the Department of Justice and President Biden in the alleged election interference. "It's all election interference and it all starts with the DOJ," he said. "It starts with Biden."
New York Attorney General Letitia James, who initiated the lawsuit against Trump, was present in the courtroom. She alleges that Trump inflated the value of his properties and his net worth to secure favorable loan terms.
A real-estate appraiser involved in evaluating 40 Wall Street and an accountant from the Trump Organization are expected to testify, according to Reuters. The prosecution's appraisals, including an $18 million valuation of Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, have been met with skepticism by Trump and his supporters, who argue that similar properties in the vicinity command higher prices.
Trump's vocal criticism of the prosecution led Judge Engoron to impose a gag order. A similar order was issued by Judge Tanya Chutkan, an Obama appointee, regarding Trump's January 6 case.
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