Donald Trump’s Lawyers Seek Mistrial Motion in Court Proceedings
In a recent development in the ongoing trial of former President Donald Trump, his lawyers have expressed their intention to file a motion for a mistrial. This announcement came after an extended debate with Judge Arthur Engoron about the conduct of his clerk, which is subject to a gag order.
Trump’s attorney, Chris Kise, argued that they needed to reference the subject matter related to the clerk’s conduct. Initially, Judge Engoron advised against filing a motion that mentioned his staff, as the gag order was put in place to protect them.
Engoron sternly defended his position, stating, “I am 1000% convinced that you don’t have any right or reason to complain about my confidential communications.” Nonetheless, Trump’s legal team has raised concerns about the note-passing between the judge and his clerk, deeming it indicative of bias in the trial proceedings. They urged Engoron to reconsider his stance.
Trump attorney Alina Habba informed the judge that they planned to file a motion for a mistrial, emphasizing their need to be heard on matters that have not yet been addressed. However, Habba was adamant that their motion should be given due consideration: “You can’t respectfully reject it before you’ve seen it.”
After consulting with his clerk, Judge Engoron altered his initial position, allowing Trump’s attorneys to file a motion. However, he requested that they submit it in writing. Following this resolution, Engoron lightened the mood, jokingly stating, “See I knew it would be a love fest.”
Throughout the exchange, Trump sat back in his chair at the defense table, observing the proceedings.
The trial of Donald Trump continues to attract significant attention, with this latest development highlighting the ongoing clash between the former president’s legal team and the presiding judge. As the mistrial motion takes shape, it remains to be seen how this contentious issue will impact the proceedings moving forward.