Former President Trump addresses the media before leaving the courthouse for the day in New York City on Oct. 24. Photo: Alex Kent/AFP via Getty Images
Former President Trump's legal team on Wednesday requested a mistrial in the ongoing New York civil fraud trial that threatens his real estate empire.
The big picture: Trump has repeatedly criticized the trial proceedings as well as the judge presiding over the trial, Arthur Engoron, and Attorney General Letitia James for filing the lawsuit. Wednesday's court filing argues "the evidence of apparent and actual bias is tangible and overwhelming."
- Engoron put Trump under a gag order in the case after he made a post on his Truth Social account attacking the judge's law clerk. He has been fined twice for apparent violations of the order.
- In the filing requesting a mistrial, Trump and his c0-defendants in the $250 million lawsuit have cited the clerk's "partisan activities" and question the court's impartiality.
- They argue that the proceedings have been irreparably "tainted" by bias and "an unprecedented departure from standard judicial procedure."
The other side: James rebuffed the request, saying in a statement that he is trying to "dismiss the truth and the facts."
- "He can keep trying to distract from his fraud, but the truth always comes out," a spokesperson for the AG's office said in a statement.
Between the lines: Engoron will ultimately rule on the motion.
- Trump sparred with the judge during his testimony in the case last week — the first time he had testified in one of his ongoing legal cases.
- His sons Donald Jr. and Eric are co-defendants in the case, along with other Trump Organization executives, and have both testified.
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