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OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author’s opinion.
Former President Donald Trump received some favorable news in one of his numerous legal battles, this time in New York City, where he is dealing with a $250 million civil fraud penalty and the potential loss of his business empire.
Trump praised an Appellate Division, First Department ruling as “very good” after the judges ruled that he can “hold off on obeying an order to dissolve his Empire State businesses until the courts can consider their status,” the Western Journal reported. Now the case goes before a four-judge panel, the outlet said.
The Messenger noted further, however, that the appellate court refused to halt Trump’s civil fraud trial.
After hailing the “very good ruling,” Trump proclaimed: “I think the country appreciates it.”
His lawyer, Christopher Kise, added, “President Trump very much appreciates the court’s consideration and ruling today. The ruling helps pave the way for a much needed, and deliberative, review of the trial court’s many errors.”
“I think it’s a great thing for the country,” Trump told reporters.
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Trump speaks at his NYC trial: “New York State just gave us a very good ruling.” pic.twitter.com/kuhSBfOHuK
— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) December 7, 2023
“Trump and his legal team also celebrated the testimony of a defense expert witness, New York University accounting professor Eli Bartov, who said he reviewed Trump’s financial information and found that Trump and his people did nothing wrong,” the Western Journal continued.
“My main finding is that there is no evidence whatsoever of any accounting fraud,” Bartov testified. Trump’s financial statements “were not materially misstated,” he said.
Trump told the media that Bartov is a “highly respected man.”
“I don’t know him, but he’s an expert witness, and he found no fraud whatsoever. He found no accounting fraud whatsoever,” Trump told reporters. “And like everyone else, he said, ‘What are we doing here?’ What are we doing here? This is a political witch hunt.’ This is meant to influence an election. This also comes from the White House. This is not just a state matter because the White House is controlling district attorneys.”
A lawyer from Attorney General Letitia James’ office ripped Bartov’s testimony and claimed it was “pure speculation from someone they hired to say what they want.”
But the witness responded with vigor, saying, “You should be ashamed of yourself, talking to me like that. I’m here to tell the truth,” NBC News reported.
Trump did, however, get some bad legal news as well this week.
The Colorado Supreme Court removed Trump from the state’s 2024 ballot on Wednesday, determining that he is an ineligible presidential candidate because of the 14th Amendment’s “insurrectionist ban.”
The verdict was 4–3.
The decision will remain on hold until January 4th, when an appeal is considered. The nation hopes that the US Supreme Court will hear the case and reach a final decision by then, CNN reported.
The landmark decision will shake up the presidential race of 2024, even though it only applies to Colorado. Officials in Colorado’s election office have stated that a resolution is required by January 5, the statutory deadline for determining the Republican primary contenders.
Post-Civil War ratification of the 14th Amendment prohibits “engaged in insurrection” from holding public office for officials who pledge allegiance to the Constitution. Aside from its ambiguous language and lack of specific reference to the presidency, this provision has seen only two applications since 1919.
That said, several legal experts say they believe the U.S. Supreme Court will quickly overturn the ruling.
“I think this will go down in infamy as maybe one of the most ridiculous decisions by a state Supreme Court rendered in the course of American history,” attorney and talk show host Hugh Hewitt told Fox News on Thursday.
“It truly is worthy of scorn. I’m at a loss for words… It should be overturned by the Supreme Court. It is interfering with the election, and the people who are most angry ought to be Governor DeSantis, Ambassador Haley, and Governor Christie because the Colorado Supreme Court is stepping on their campaigns and interfering with their election,” he said.
