<![CDATA[Judge Letitia James: Trump must appear before the New York Attorney General]]> https://usagag.com/2022/02/18/judge-letitia-james-trump-must-appear-before-the-new-york-attorney-general/ Fri, 18 Feb 2022 08:41:00 +0000 hourly 1 https://usagag.com Judge Letitia James: Trump must appear before the New York Attorney General Former President Donald Trump and two of his children must testify under oath in the state's civil probe into his business operations, according to New York Attorney General Letitia James.

"Donald Trump, Donald Trump Jr., and Ivanka Trump must all comply with this court order and testify before my office within 21 days," James wrote on Twitter Thursday. "No one is above the law."

Judge Arthur Engoron ordered the former president and his two oldest children, Ivanka and Donald Trump Jr., to comply with James' December subpoenas. The Trumps must appear in court for a deposition within 21 days, according to the judge.

(AP Photo/John Locher)

He issued the ruling after a two-hour hearing with lawyers for the Trumps and James' office. 

"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. She has the clear right to do so." Engoron wrote in his decision.

(Getty Images)

The subpoenas were issued by James in conjunction with an ongoing civil inquiry. Subpoenas were issued for testimony and documents "in connection with an inquiry into the value of properties owned or controlled by Donald J. Trump or the Trump Organization, or any subject which the Attorney General considers relevant thereto."

The Trumps reacted with a lawsuit accusing James of ignoring legal standards in order to obtain political support. The Trumps said that James had "repeatedly threatened inquiry and prosecution" of the Trump family in order to "get votes, money, and support, and now, as Attorney General, to obtain political support."

In this Sept. 29, 2020, file photo, President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump hold hands on stage after the first presidential debate at Case Western University and Cleveland Clinic, in Cleveland, Ohio.
In this Sept. 29, 2020, file photo, President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump hold hands on stage after the first presidential debate at Case Western University and Cleveland Clinic, in Cleveland, Ohio. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)
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