Former President Donald Trump has been fined $10,000 for violating a partial gag order imposed by New York Judge Arthur Engoron in the civil trial initiated by New York Attorney General Letitia James. This comes after Trump made derogatory statements about the court staff during a press conference, violating the order. Engoron had previously fined Trump $5,000 for similar violations on social media and warned of further penalties, including imprisonment, for future violations.
Engoron requested that Trump take the stand during the civil trial and questioned him about his comments regarding a “person who’s very partisan sitting alongside” the judge. Trump clarified that he was referring to Engoron and his former lawyer, Michael Cohen. However, Engoron pressed further, asking if he was sure he was not referring to his clerk. Trump affirmed that he was referring to his law clerk, not the clerk of the court.
Engoron, who had criticized Trump’s previous remarks about his clerk, ruled that the fine of $10,000 was “on the liberal side.” Trump’s attorneys argued against the fine, claiming that it was inappropriate to have a law clerk on the bench with the judge. However, Engoron maintained that he values input from both of his law clerks and that this is how he conducts proceedings.
The partial gag order was imposed in response to Trump’s post on his Truth Social account, where he alleged a relationship between Engoron’s law clerk and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. Trump stated that this relationship called for an immediate dismissal of the case. Although Trump claimed to have deleted the post, a copy was found on his campaign website, leading to the $5,000 fine.
Judge Engoron cautioned Trump against further violations, stating that future infractions could result in more severe sanctions, including steeper financial penalties, holding Trump in contempt of court, or even imprisonment. Meanwhile, the civil fraud trial brought forward by Attorney General Letitia James accuses Trump and his company of misleading banks and others about the value of his assets.
Engoron previously ruled that Trump and the Trump Organization committed fraud by overvaluing assets and exaggerating net worth, based on allegations made by James. The trial continues to unfold as accusations of fraud and misrepresentation on financial statements are being examined.
