The civil fraud trial against former President Donald Trump continued Monday, with Trump himself taking the stand to testify. As RedState reported, New York Supreme Court Judge Arthur Engoron clashed with Trump and his attorneys, admonishing the Trump legal team that "This is not a political rally. This is a courtroom."
Reports of Monday morning's proceedings also indicated that Judge Engoron got into a shouting match with Trump attorney Alina Habba, telling her to "Sit down!"
During one heated exchange, Trump attorney Alina Habba told the judge that “you are here to hear what he has to say.”
Engoron shouted in response, commanding her to “sit down.”
“No, I am not here to hear what he has to say!” he yelled.
From the witness stand, Trump interjected: “This is a very unfair trial — very, very — and I hope the public is watching.”
During a break in the proceedings, Habba held a brief press conference on the courthouse steps, addressing the morning's fireworks and going scorched earth on both Judge Engoron and New York Attorney General Letitia James.
Habba addressed her heated exchange with Judge Engoron.
Alina Habba is pissed off after another day in the Manhattan circus show trial.
— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) November 6, 2023
"I was yelled at and I've had a judge who is unhinged slamming a table. I don’t tolerate that in my life, I’m not going to tolerate it here." pic.twitter.com/rgQm4q4HXD
"You have a right to hire a lawyer who can stand up and say something when they see something wrong. But I was told to sit down today. I was yelled at. And I've had a judge who is unhinged slamming a table. Let me be very clear: I don't tolerate that in my life; I'm not going to tolerate it here. And you know what? You shouldn't either."
Habba also pointed to holes in James' case against Trump, while taking some not-so-subtle jabs at James' political career and aspirations.
Trump attorney Alina Habba goes scorched earth on Letitia James:
— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) November 6, 2023
"The numbers didn't lie when you ran for governor, and that's why you dropped out. And the numbers don't lie when President Trump runs for office in 2024. And those numbers are loud and clear!" pic.twitter.com/CnQK6gQYM5
"Because Ms. James wants to stand right here like she did this morning and call my client a liar, call the company fraudulent, and make a name for herself. She said this morning that the numbers don't lie, and they won't lie in this case. Well, Ms. James, I have a message for you. The numbers didn't lie when you ran for governor, and that's why you dropped out. And the numbers don't lie when President Trump runs for office in 2024. And those numbers are loud and clear. This country is falling apart."
Trump was set to return to the stand Monday afternoon and is expected to speak following his afternoon in court. Don't expect he'll be shy about sharing his thoughts on the proceedings.
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