The Democrats were just handed a massive legal victory against former President Donald Trump.
Fox News reports that a New York judge ruled that Trump must provide sworn testimony in the ongoing investigation into his business affairs.
What’s going on?
This latest court ruling has to do with the investigation that is being led by New York Attorney General Letitia James (D) into Trump’s business affairs. James claims that her investigative team has found evidence that the Trump Organization used “fraudulent or misleading” evaluations of assets to obtain tax benefits and to secure loans.
James has been trying to get Trump to provide sworn testimony about her findings. But, the former president has refused, arguing that the investigation is politically motivated.
James, subpoenaed Trump, asking the court to force him to testify. She also subpoenaed two of Trump’s children: Donald Trump Jr. and Ivanka Trump.
Judge Arthur Engoron has now granted those subpoenas.
“In the final analysis, a State Attorney General commences investigating a business entity, uncovers copious evidence of possible financial fraud, and wants to question, under oath, several of the entities’ principals, including its namesake,” Engoron wrote in his opinion. “She has the clear right to do so.”
Trump responds
The three Trumps now have 21 days to provide testimony to James’s investigators, that is unless Trump decides to appeal the matter, which seems likely.
Trump has put out a statement slamming Ergoron’s decision. “THERE IS NO CASE!” he said.
Trump, then, accused James and her office of continuing “the greatest Witch Hunt in history.” He said that James and her people are “doing everything within their corrupt discretion to interfere with my business relationships, and with the political process.”
Trump also argued that “I can’t get a fair hearing in New York because of the hatred of me by judges and the judiciary.” He added, “It’s not possible.”
James, for her part, put out a statement celebrating Ergoron’s decision. She wrote:
Donald Trump, Donald Trump Jr., and Ivanka Trump must all comply with this court order and testify before my office within 21 days. No one is above the law.
