Former President Donald Trump refused to answer questions on Wednesday and filed a deposition with an investigator who works for the Attorney General ofNew York. During the office ofLetitia Jamesexercised his right to self-incrimination.
"On the advice of my attorney and for all of the above reasons, I have declined to answer questions regarding the rights and privileges accorded to all citizens under the United States Constitution," Trump said. Told. A long, rambling statement full of attacks on James, who has overseen a lengthy investigation into whether Trump's eponymous real estate firm violated New York tax laws.
Shortly after posting on his own social media his platform about arriving at James's "so gorgeous, beautiful and expensive" office, the former president said the government had funded it. I sent a statement through my post-presidency office.
Under the image of the Great Seal of the United States, Trump has accused the Empire State Attorney General of "attacking" him and his business and "destroying his career" for being a "failed politician." I am building it," he complained. Willfully conspiring with others to "carry out this years-long false crusade that has squandered countless taxpayers' dollars." It is a disgrace to the legal system, an affront to New York State taxpayers, and a solemn violation of the rights and protections afforded by the U.S. Constitution. Stated.
Former President Donald Trump gestures as he leaves Trump Tower on his way to a deposition
(AP)
Mr. Trump, who once famously suggested that exercising his Fifth Amendment right to self-incrimination was itself evidence of a crime, said that in the case of innocence, a “fifth Adopting the article," he said he now understands why.
"Your family, your company, and everyone around you is the target of an unsubstantiated, politically motivated witch hunt supported by lawyers, prosecutors, and the fake news media. When it becomes, you don't have a choice." He explained,the FBI's search of his residence in Palm Beach, Fla. It was part of a federal investigation into whether it violated laws prohibiting the illegal possession of, it added, "cleaning up the uncertainty." As to whether he refuses to answer questions because he might incriminate himself.
"The current administration and many prosecutors in this I have no choice because I have lost all the limits of
Trump's refusal to answer questions may exonerate him from criminal liability in any lawsuit brought as a result of the James investigation (although New York law under which she herself cannot be held criminally liable against him or his company). But because the New York Attorney General's investigation is being conducted in civil court, legal experts will invoke the Fifth Amendment if James files a lawsuit against him or his company as a result of the investigation.
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over his August 8 raid As the situation became more apparent, the former president's decision was made not to answer any questions from James or her investigators.
According to Newsweek, the FBI announced that Mr. Trump's palm he obtained a search warrant for his beach home. On the premises.
According to multiple reports, federal agents issued tape subpoenas to Trump's eponymous real estate and hotel company, the Trump Organization, before it turned into a private club. Got CCTV footage of her from inside the mansion.
The subpoena was issued following a meeting between Justice Department officials and Mr. Trump's lawyers inMar-a-Lago. Record after he left the White House in his January 2021.
Officials at the Department of Justice and the National Archives and Records Administration (Nara) have been negotiating with Trump for months about the return of records from his administration. This is government property under US law. In January, Nara told the House Oversight Committee that the former president turned over 15 boxes of records. This included documents that officials have characterized as highly classified and cannot be easily explained without violating U.S. laws protecting defense secrets.
Trump He claims he cooperated with government efforts before searching his home and office. Since then, he and his supporters have said, without providing any evidence, that a search of his property was part of an improper effort to thwart his potential candidacy in the 2024 election. President Joe Biden and Attorney GeneralMerrick Garlandhave weaponized federal law enforcement against Biden's potential political rivals. did.
The twice-impeached ex-president also accused the FBI of using searches of his property to plant unspecified evidence incriminating him, a claim he backs up. did not provide any evidence.
So far, the Justice Department has been unable to explain or comment on his actions in an investigation into Trump's retention of federal records beyond his White House tenure. are refusing. But legal experts say he could face serious criminal charges if he was in possession of classified government documents or other documents. A bill Trump signed into law while in the White House greatly increased penalties for mishandling classified information and extended prison terms for offenders from one to five years.