The state of New York plans to rest its civil case against former President Donald Trump after his daughter Ivanka Trump testifies on Wednesday, clearing the way for the defense to give its side of the story.
New York Attorney General Letitia James’ suit against the former president reached a crescendo with Mr. Trump’s combative testimony Monday. But there are weeks to go in the trial before Judge Arthur Engoron rules on the state’s claims and possible penalties against the Trump Organization.
The state alleges Mr. Trump and his business repeatedly submitted fraudulent financial information to gain favorable terms on loans and insurance.
“This case will go on. We look forward to hearing the testimony of Ivanka Trump on Wednesday. Justice will prevail,” Ms. James said after Mr. Trump’s testimony.
Ivanka Trump worked in the Trump White House but has distanced herself from politics and her father’s 2024 campaign. She tried to avoid testifying in the case against her father and brothers, though Judge Engoron decided her business ties to New York made her a worthwhile witness.
Legal pundits say Ms. Trump will want to avoid putting her family members in legal jeopardy but will also try to distance herself from the lawsuit as much as possible.
SEE ALSO: Trump lawyer Alina Habba says Letitia James is ‘just not that bright’
The trial took a break for Election Day on Tuesday, but the state will question Ms. Trump on direct examination before the defense gets a chance to cross-examine her Thursday morning. Afterward, the state is expected to rest its case and the defense will make a series of motions.
Mr. Trump’s team will start its defense next week. Defense lawyer Christopher Kise told the court his side expects to wrap its case by Dec. 15.
The ex-president took the witness stand Monday to repeat his claim that Democrats are using the courts to harass him during his 2024 presidential campaign. He also boasted about his properties while admitting the organization made mistakes at times, such as in its valuation of his apartment at Trump Tower, as the state tried to link Mr. Trump with financial statements at the heart of the case.
Mr. Trump continued to slam the judge on Tuesday. He posted online a copy of the disclaimer that accompanies each of his financial statements and advises banks to exercise their own judgment.
“This is the Paper that I wanted to submit that the Judge refused to take, because he doesn’t want anybody to know about the Disclaimer Clause at the beginning of each Financial Statement,” he wrote on Truth Social. “Hopefully the Appellate Courts will stop this travesty of Justice that everybody is watching and fully understanding!”
Judge Engoron ruled against Mr. Trump on one of Ms. James’ fraud claims before the trial began, though he must decide on other claims and penalties.
Mr. Trump’s trial and criminal indictments elsewhere have not dimmed his prospects in the GOP primary race. He leads his nearest rivals by 40 to 50 points in the latest polls.
Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, another Republican 2024 contender, has openly faulted Mr. Trump over his legal problems. But other candidates are proceeding gingerly, or tacitly reminding voters that Mr. Trump will be distracted or politically wounded during the campaign.
“We are not going to get a mulligan on the 2024 election,” Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Tuesday in Davenport, Iowa, where he was joined by Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds.
“My focus is not going to be on me, it is going to be on you,” Mr. DeSantis said. “I will go in and methodically get the job done. We will deliver the big victories we need to be able to get this country back on track. No time for distraction, no time for any other than the American people’s business. As your nominee, I will make sure we win across the board. As a leader, I will be somebody you can be proud of.”
• Seth McLaughlin contributed to this report.
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.
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