That’s a big ‘NO’ from Judge Arthur Engoron who said Wednesday that Trump can not defend himself during closing arguments in the $370 million New York civil fraud trial.
“Not having heard from you by the third extended deadline (noon today), I assume that Mr. Trump will not agree to the reasonable, lawful limits I have imposed as a precondition to giving a closing statement above and beyond those given by his attorneys, and that, therefore, he will not be speaking in court tomorrow,” Engoron wrote.
Judiciously, the Judge ruled that Trump could not ‘comment on irrelevant matters’ or ‘deliver a campaign speech.’
He also wouldn’t be allowed to criticize the judge, his staff, Attorney General James, her lawyers or the court system, Engoron wrote.
“He may not seek to introduce new evidence. He may not ‘testify.’ He may not comment on irrelevant matters,” Engoron wrote. “In particular, and without limitation, he may not deliver a campaign speech, and he may not impugn myself, my staff, plaintiff, plaintiff’s staff, or the New York State Court System, none of which is relevant to this case, and all of which, except commenting on my staff, can be done, and is being done, in other forums.”