# NY AG Letitia James drops the (civil) hammer {On Trump & Family} \[9/21/2022\] **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [September 21, 2022, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991 "2022-09-21T16:13:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 56
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2023, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/1102 "2023-11-06T20:19:41Z")
Trump has just been excused from the witness stand. CNN has cameras in the hallway outside the courtroom, waiting for him to exit. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2023, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/1103 "2023-11-06T20:20:46Z")
> **[Ex-DOJ Official Explains Legal Trap Trump's About To Step In](https://news.yahoo.com/ex-doj-official-explains-legal-101131035.html)** > > “I can’t imagine having a client like this,” said former acting Solicitor General Neal Katyal. _Former acting Solicitor General Neal Katyal on Sunday said former President Donald Trump faces a “Hobson’s choice” when he takes the stand in his civil fraud trial in New York this week._ _Trump could answer the questions or plead the Fifth when he’s grilled in the $250 million lawsuit brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James, who alleges Trump routinely overvalued assets for financial gain, Katyal told MSNBC’s Jen Psaki. But “both are a problem,” he said._ _“The case for [Trump] taking the Fifth Amendment is he’s basically going to perjure himself one way or another if he takes the stand,” said Katyal._ _Trump is “known for giving meandering testimony,” which could get him into serious trouble, Katyal continued. But if Trump doesn’t testify in the civil trial, then under New York state law his silence could be read “to be the absolute worst.”_ _“I can’t imagine having a client like this,” Katyal said._ More fun! _Fellow guest and former federal prosecutor Andrew Weissmann agreed._ ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2023, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/1104 "2023-11-06T20:20:54Z")
the defence did not ask any questions. trump will go home and on to ivanka on wednesday. i saw that bit from ms psaki’s show. it was quite good. of course, neither katyal or weissmann would have such a client. judge cautions the lawyers against making confidential communications public. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2023, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/1105 "2023-11-06T20:27:35Z")
Annnnd, Truth Social meltdown in three … two … one … ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2023, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/1106 "2023-11-06T20:28:18Z")
> [@Si\_Amigo](#): > > > [@CoolHandCox](#): > > > > Per NYT: > > > > > The document was a copy of the much-discussed disclaimer clause, a strip of paper he pulled from the inside pocket of his suit. > > Maybe it was a note from Epstein’s mother. Or Epshteyn’s mother? ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2023, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/1107 "2023-11-06T20:41:06Z")
Trump commenting in the hallway just now. “This is a scam. This case should never have been brought; it should be dismissed.” “They say fraud, this court is a fraud.” Something-something poll numbers something something. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2023, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/1108 "2023-11-06T20:41:48Z")
trump did his usual greatest hits outside of the court room. he kept saying, “eveyone saw what happened here”, did he think there was person, camera, television in the court room? ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2023, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/1109 "2023-11-06T20:44:09Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > “They say fraud, this court is a fraud.” Someone really needs to start saying “Who? Who keeps saying that?” every time “they” tell him something. Of course I suppose we already know the answer to that will be “you should know, I guess you’re not a very good reporter if you don’t know”. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2023, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/1110 "2023-11-06T20:50:00Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > Trump commenting in the hallway just now. > > “This is a scam. This case should never have been brought; it should be dismissed.” > > “They say fraud, this court is a fraud.” So basically a re-run of “NO, YOU THE PUPPET! YOU THE PUPPET!” from the debate with Hilary. ---
**Author:** ![Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marvin_the_martian/32/2898_2.png) [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2023, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/1111 "2023-11-06T20:53:00Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > Someone really needs to start saying “Who? Who keeps saying that?” every time “they” tell him something. I always assumed it’s the voices inside his head. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2023, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/1112 "2023-11-06T20:54:12Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > Like, seriously, so many hoaxes, manufactured by the government for just one person in so short a time? How do people keep buying this garbage? People believe there is a global (heh) conspiracy to convince people the world is not flat or that a [mud flood](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tartarian_Empire_(conspiracy_theory)#Conspiracy_theory) destroyed a world-wide peaceful empire. The Justice Department picking on the Greatest Man who Ever Lived™ is nothing compared to that. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2023, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/1113 "2023-11-06T21:01:42Z")
> [@rocking\_chair](#): > > … trump will go home and on to ivanka on wednesday. I was wondering if you might want to rephrase that but probably not. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2023, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/1114 "2023-11-06T21:04:38Z")
oh my. let’s try, we move onto ivanka’s testimony on wednesday. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2023, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/1115 "2023-11-06T21:14:03Z")
With respect to the piece of paper, it’s not the case that a witness can make speeches or refer independently to documents. If the document has been placed in evidence, then counsel can ask the witness questions about the document. Counsel for the AG NY evidently did not consider that putting the disclaimers to Trump was a necessary part of their case. That document is already evidence in court, I assume. I don’t know in a civil trial if Trump’s defence counsel could have asked him about the document in cross, if it hadn’t been mentioned in chief. Depends on the rules of cross-examination for NY civil cases. That point aside, Trump’s counsel evidently didn’t see any value in asking his client any questions. ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2023, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/1116 "2023-11-06T21:15:38Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > That point aside, Trump’s counsel evidently didn’t see any value in asking his client any questions. The phrase “Ask me no questions, I’ll tell you no lies.” comes to mind. ---
**Author:** ![OldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/3bc359/32.png) [@OldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldGuy)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2023, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/1117 "2023-11-06T21:27:13Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > He thought it was 11,000 yards, not feet so he did the math. Of course for sq feet to sq yards the ratio is 9 not 3 ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2023, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/1118 "2023-11-06T21:30:48Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > Of course I suppose we already know the answer to that will be “you should know, I guess you’re not a very good reporter if you don’t know”. Yep, or “nobody you reported on or write about, because you’re fake news and an enemy of the people.” They did call him on this stuff during his deposition for this case. Every time he said some variation of, “I don’t remember exactly who, but they’re very well respected. The best. We’ll get you a name if you want a name.” Didn’t slow him down one bit, and that was under oath. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2023, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/1119 "2023-11-06T21:50:23Z")
> [@OldGuy](#): > > Of course for sq feet to sq yards the ratio is 9 not 3 That’s fake leftist socialist math. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2023, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/1120 "2023-11-06T22:47:50Z")
[![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F-SPbh-XMAA2cVa?format=jpg&name=medium) ](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F-SPbh-XMAA2cVa?format=jpg&name=medium) I assume those experts are graduates of Trump University. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2023, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991/1121 "2023-11-06T23:16:47Z")
They’ve got the steaks to prove it. trump steaks. The very best. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991.md?page=55) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-letitia-james-drops-the-civil-hammer-on-trump-family-9-21-2022/971991.md?page=57)