Former President Donald Trump has appealed a judge’s decision requiring him to testify in a New York investigation. The decision, which is likely to prolong the testimony fight for months, requires the former president to answer questions under oath about his business practices. The attorney general’s office signaled that it is prepared to fight the ruling to make the Trumps testify. The state’s civil investigation found that the entire family fraudulently obtained loans by using inflated and misleading valuations.
Earlier this month, Judge Engoron set a March 10 deadline for the depositions. Trump’s lawyers filed an appeal with the appellate division of the trial court. On Friday, a majority of the judges in the case sided with the Trumps’ request to stay the depositions. The appeals court has not yet set a date for arguments. Typically, the court issues a decision several months after oral arguments. Given the urgency of the investigation, the Trumps may want to get the ruling overturned.
The Trumps’ lawyers argued that the testimony would not be reliable, because the testimony could be used in a criminal investigation, while the former president’s legal team argued that it could harm the presidential campaign. But the judge didn’t specify whether he would be allowed to answer any questions as part of the civil investigation. Regardless, his attorneys said that the trial court’s decision will likely delay the depositions for months.
Although the decision requiring Trump to testify will not affect the criminal investigation, it is likely to extend the testimony battle. The court’s ruling is expected to be announced in April, which is not far off. It is also unclear when the appeals will be decided. A court can issue a decision within six months of an argument date. As long as the Trumps maintain that the testimony will not harm his case, he can continue his lawsuit.
The ruling means that Trump must take a deposition in a civil investigation in New York. But he may also invoke his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination and object to a criminal investigation. While his testimony can be used to support his claims, it will also be used to help his legal team. However, he is unlikely to admit guilt in this case. The pending appeals process will probably prolong the trial by months.
The court’s ruling is expected to prolong the testimony fight. The depositions were originally scheduled to start on March 10, but lawyers for the Trumps have filed an appeal. The court didn’t set a date for arguments, but the depositions will begin after the appeals. In addition, the lawyers for the Trumps will argue that anything they say in the deposition could be used against him in the criminal investigation.