Former President Trump argued that the New York civil trial against him is a “fraud” in brief court remarks Thursday as both sides made their closing arguments in the case. Trump, who was barred from delivering closing arguments at the hearing, delivered the comments inside the courtroom after his lawyer asked the judge if he could speak for a few minutes.
In his unexpected remarks, the former president slammed the New York attorney general as someone who “hates Trump and wants to stop Trump from getting elected.” “This is a fraud on me,” Trump, seated in the front row in a navy blue suit and red tie, told the judge. “What’s happened here, sir, is a fraud on me.”
Attorney General Leticia James (D) is pushing for Trump to be barred from New York’s real estate business and is asking that he be forced to pay nearly $370 million in penalties for falsifying financial records.
Catch up on the day’s events with The Hill’s full coverage |
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Hunter Biden pleads not guilty to tax charges
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Hunter Biden, the son of President Biden, has pleaded not guilty to tax evasion charges in California.
The nine felony and misdemeanor tax offenses allege Hunter Biden didn’t pay at least $1.4 million in federal taxes up until 2019 and possibly filed false tax records during that period.
Hunter Biden has been accused of spending lavishly on illicit activity, including drugs and prostitutes.
The not-guilty plea comes a day after he made a surprise appearance at a House hearing, where Republican members have tried to tie his claims of wrongdoing to his father, who is currently running for a second term. The Hill’s Miranda Nazzaro has more details here. |
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What’s happening with the government shutdown deal?
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Lawmakers are trying to prevent a government shutdown later this month, but after Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) appeared to reach an agreement with leaders in the upper chamber, things still appear tenuous. The Hill’s Al Weaver and Aris Folley report that senators were caught off guard by reported moves in the House: “Senate Republicans were caught off guard on Thursday amid reports that House conservatives were talking with [Johnson] about an alternative to the bipartisan spending deal announced just days ago.” For their part, conservative House members say they aren’t on board with the deal struck by Johnson with Senate Democrats.
The Hill’s Mychael Schnell and Emily Brooks reported: Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) told them: “It’s not going to be the current deal.” Tall task: Johnson, who was ushered into leadership following the October ouster of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), had hashed out a deal with Democrats who control the Senate to keep government running past its upcoming Jan. 19 deadline. “The reality is we have a small majority,” Johnson told reporters Wednesday. |
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Threats to judges rise as Trump trials ramp up
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The judge handling former President Trump‘s New York civil fraud case faced a threat ahead of the hearing Thursday.
Authorities responded to a bomb threat at the Long Island home of Judge Arthur Engoron. A court spokesperson later told The Hill the court has had security protocols in place since the start of proceedings.
The threat against Engoron, who has faced Trump’s disdain in the past, came hours before closing arguments in the case. Other judges handling Trump cases also have felt pressure and threats.
The judge in the federal case against Trump in Washington, D.C., faced a recent “swatting” incident, something that has also targeted multiple GOP lawmakers in recent weeks. U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland recently warned of a “deeply disturbing spike in threats against those who serve the public.” |
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GOP debate gets heated, but shows little movement
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The top presidential candidates not named Donald Trump tried to duke it out in a final debate ahead of Monday’s Iowa caucuses.
Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis have been battling for second behind Trump, the clear frontrunner in the GOP nomination fight.
DeSantis and Haley faced off in Des Moines Wednesday night and traded accusations of lying about each other’s record. Meanwhile, Trump held his own event and declined another debate invitation.
From Iowa: The Hill’s Niall Stanage breaks down the winners and losers from the DeSantis-Haley debate.
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Ohio woman won’t be charged after miscarriage amid new abortion law
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An Ohio grand jury has said it wont charge a woman who miscarried her baby at home after prosecutors claimed she violated the state’s laws over handling a corpse.
The case had become a controversial abortion rights test because of new strict anti-abortion laws in the state. (The Hill) |
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“The disappearing act of the secretary of Defense, and why it matters,” by Tara D. Sonenshine, a former U.S. undersecretary of state for public diplomacy and public affairs. “The woman who believes in Jewish lasers is behind the impeachment of Secretary Mayorkas,” by former Rep. Steve Israel (D-N.Y.). |
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4 days until the Iowa Republican caucuses.
12 days until the New Hampshire primary.
186 days until the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.
221 days until the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. |
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7:45 p.m.: First lady Jill Biden will take part in a military families event in Connecticut.
LOOKING AHEAD: -
Ex-Trump adviser Peter Navarro is set to be sentenced Friday in his contempt of Congress case linked to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol.
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Former President Trump will be barnstorming Iowa ahead of Monday’s caucuses, with rallies scheduled through the weekend in Sioux City, Indianola and Cherokee.
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