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Trump to face-off with NYAG
Donald Trump and lawyers from New York Attorney General Letitia James’s (D) office will face off this week when the former president is expected to take the stand in the fraud case jeopardizing his business empire.
His testimony marks an unprecedented turn in U.S. history where a former president and current White House candidate must defend himself on trial and in the shadow of a host of other legal troubles. However, that seems to have had little effect among GOP primary voters throwing their support behind Trump, who is consistently polling with double-digit leads ahead of his challengers among that contingent of likely voters.
Manhattan courthouse abuzz ahead of Trump’s testimony
The Manhattan courthouse where former President Trump will soon testify in the fraud case threatening his business empire was bursting with anticipation Monday morning.
More than 70 reporters from U.S. and international publications lined up outside the courthouse before the sun had risen, hoping to get a seat in the courtroom where the former president will take the stand.
At least six sketch artists will also document the historic proceeding.
NYAG arrives in court
New York Attorney General Letitia James (D) arrived in court Monday morning some 20 minutes before Trump is expected to take the stand.
She walked directly to the state lawyers who will soon question the former president, appearing to joke and make small talk before taking her usual seat at the right front side of the courtroom.
Trump ahead of court appearance: ‘A dark day for our Country’
Trump on Monday railed against his fraud case in New York City just hours before he is expected to appear in court and potentially take the stand.
“Got a really Biased, Nasty, Club controlled, but often overturned, Judge, a Racist, Evil, and Corrupt Attorney General, BUT A CASE THAT, ACCORDING TO ALMOST ALL LEGAL SCHOLARS, HAS ZERO MERIT,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post. “A dark day for our Country. WITCH HUNT!”
Trump arrives at courthouse
Former President Donald Trump arrived at the courthouse shortly before 10 a.m., where he gave brief remarks to cameras outside the court room and decried the trial as “political warfare.”
“While Israel is being attacked, while Ukraine is being attacked, while inflation is eating our country alive, I’m down here,” Trump said, calling it a “very unfair situation.”
Trump inside the courtroom
Trump has arrived in the Manhattan courtroom where he will soon take the stand in the fraud trial putting his business at risk.
Trump slowly sauntered to the defense table, maintaining a stern face before taking a seat between attorneys Alina Habba and Chris Kise.
He was flanked by two lawyers representing him in a separate New York criminal case and campaign spokesman Steven Cheung, in addition to a host of secret service agents.
State calls Trump as witness
The New York attorney general’s office has called the former president to the witness stand.
“The people call Donald J. Trump,” a state lawyer said.
Trump, wearing a blue suit and tie, stood at the defense table and took his time walking to the witness stand. He raised his right hand and swore to tell the truth.