10:51 a.m. ET, November 6, 2023
Judge advises Trump not to make political speeches
From CNN’s Lauren del Valle, Kara Scannell and Jeremy Herb in New York
Judge Arthur Engoron asked Donald Trump to answer questions related to the case – and not make a speech.
“Some of your answers don’t fit the question,” Engoron said.
“Mr. Wallace is very patient. I would like to move things forward,” the judge said, referring to Kevin Wallace of the New York attorney general’s office.
“Please just answer questions, no speeches,” Engoron said.
The relationship between Engoron and Trump has been strained from the start. The judge has already made a shocking move by ruling before the trial began that Trump had committed fraud. He also imposed a silence order on Trump after the former president attacked a courtroom clerk in a social media post and fined him $15,000 for violating the order.
But minutes later, when the attorney general’s lawyer asked the former president if he was responsible for preparing his financial statements, Trump attacked the judge again.
“I’m sure the judge will rule against me because he always rules against me,” Trump said after complaining about the statute of limitations in the case.
Engoron asked Trump lawyer Chris Kise if Trump’s comment was necessary to explain his response.
“The comment that I’m still speaking out against him, which as you know isn’t true anyway, certainly didn’t answer the question,” Engoron said.
Then the judge said directly to Trump: “So Mr. Trump, please just answer the question,” he said. “You can attack me, you can do whatever you want, but answer the question. »