Donald Trump, the former United States President, refused to answer questions as part of a New York state probe into the business practices of his family. As part of a long-running civil investigation into the Trump Organization’s finances, Trump appeared at Attorney General Letitia James’s office on Wednesday morning. Furthermore, the former president said in a statement that he declined to respond to the questions under the Constitution’s rights and privileges guaranteed to every American.
Former US President Donald Trump insists that he did nothing and declined to answer questions under oath during an appearance before the New York state attorney general in the New York investigation. However, he said that he invoked the 5th Amendment and refused to answer.#Trump pic.twitter.com/6i2ZZNGrnH
— Live News Now (@LiveNewsNow6) August 11, 2022
In a separate investigation, FBI agents searched the former president’s Florida home two days before his deposition in New York, according to several United States media outlets probing Trump’s likely mishandling of classified documents. Additionally, the New York attorney general initiated the civil probe in 2019 after Michael Cohen, the former personal lawyer of Trump, testified in Congress that the former president embellished his assets when they served his purposes.
According to James, her office has discovered “significant evidence” that Trump’s company benefited economically from fraud and misleading valuations, including tax deductions, insurance coverage, and loans. In a previous statement, Trump suggested he might run for president again in 2024, dismissing the congressional committee and the New York inquiry into January 6, 2021, attack by his supporters as politically motivated.
Fifth Amendment Right Against Self-incrimination
Legal analysts speculate former president may have refused to answer questions about that investigation on Wednesday because his answers might have gotten him in trouble. Moreover, Trump invoked the 5th Amendment to protect himself from being forced to testify against himself. In a statement to United States media, Ronald Fischetti said his client (Trump) was questioned for four hours, including lengthy breaks.
A separate investigation reportedly linked to his handling of classified materials prompted the FBI to execute an unprecedented search warrant at his Florida estate, Mar-a-Lago, just days before his deposition. While the attorney general’s investigation focuses on civil matters, the Manhattan District Attorney is investigating criminal charges that may be filed due to their investigation.
Source: Web
FBI Raid on Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Residency
On Wednesday, he reiterated that he had “done nothing wrong” and that the “fake news media” and federal authorities are targeting him with unfounded accusations without any evidence. Two days before this deposition, the FBI raided his home, Mar-a-Lago, on Monday, eliminating any uncertainty in his mind. In his remarks, Trump said he has no choice as the current administration and many prosecutors have gone beyond morality and ethics.
His lawyer Ronald Fischetti told US media that the questioning lasted around four hours. He invoked his Fifth Amendment rights and condemned the attorney general’s investigation and his investigation in a statement read into the record. Whenever he was asked a question, Trump responded with the same answer. If Trump or his company are found guilty, the state attorney general may sue for financial penalties.
During the investigation, a judge said that there was “clear evidence” of a potential financial scam, which gave the attorney general the authority to question the former president and two of his children about the business under oath. As a result of the judge’s decision, James declared that “justice had prevailed.”
