Former President Donald Trump accused black state Attorney General Letitia James of being a “racist” on Thursday, claiming that she had leaked details about his deposition time in her $250 million case against his business empire. Trump posted on his Truth Social media platform before heading downtown for the deposition, criticizing the leak and accusing James’ case of being “ridiculous.” Upon arriving at James’ offices in lower Manhattan, Trump faced a few protesters, including one group carrying a banner that read “No One Is Above the Law.”
The case accuses Trump and his adult children Don Jr., Eric, and Ivanka of business fraud, intentionally misstating the value of their assets to mislead banks and others. James’ office is seeking $250 million in damages and a ban on Trump and three of his adult children from doing business in the state. Despite attempts by Trump and his attorneys to get the case dismissed, Judge Arthur Engoron denied their move and ordered it to trial. Ivanka Trump’s separate attempt to dismiss the accusations against her was also rejected by Engoron.
Trump’s deposition is scheduled to be conducted in private if it takes place. During his first deposition on August 10th, Trump invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination more than 400 times. Trump has repeatedly attacked James and the case against him and his family, a sentiment he maintained ahead of his deposition, calling her a “RACIST, TRUMP HATING Attorney General” on his social media network.
In addition to James’ case and the hush money case brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, Trump faces a third legal case in New York: a civil lawsuit resulting from columnist Jean Carroll’s claims that he raped her in a department store dressing room in the 1990s. The trial for this case is scheduled to start on April 25 in Manhattan federal court. Trump arrived in New York City on Wednesday night from his home in Palm Beach, Fla. The trial date for James’ case is set for October 2, just before the Republican presidential primaries, and lawyers will be given more time to review evidence, interview witnesses, and file motions.
