Legal Challenges and Controversies Surrounding Former President Trump
Former President Trump faces legal setbacks in New York and Georgia, including a $355 million judgment and a prosecutor facing scrutiny for a romantic relationship. These events add to the myriad legal challenges he is navigating as he considers another run for the White House. Judge Engoron's ruling is seen to have a deterrent effect, but he stopped short of issuing the corporate death penalty. The case raises questions about ethics and judgment in high-profile legal matters.
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CQ Press Lecture Spark FEBRUARY 21, 2024 Connecting current events to your American Government classroom
NY Judge Rules Against Trump While Georgia D.A. Faces Scrutiny Former President Trump suffered a legal setback in New York as he was ordered to pay $355 million in damages and barred from running a company in the state for three years. Describing the former president as a pathological fraudster, Judge Arthur Engoron found Trump liable for fraud, conspiracy and issuing false statements and business records. The sizable judgment was lower than the amount requested by New York Attorney General Letitia James, but she nonetheless praised the court s decision calling it a massive victory for the state and for the rule of law. In a reversal, however, Judge Engoron declined to issue the so- called corporate death penalty. What judgment did Engoron make on the credibility of Michael Cohen ? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05PXOu70NMw 2
NY Judge Rules Against Trump While Georgia D.A. Faces Scrutiny In Georgia s Fulton County, Fani Willis chose not to testify during a second day of hearings that will determine the future of the 2020 election interference case involving former President Trump and fourteen other defendants. The embattled district attorney took the stand voluntarily one day before and subjected herself to questions about her romantic relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade and her finances. It will be up to Judge Scott McAfee to rule whether Willis should be disqualified from continuing as the chief prosecutor on the Trump case. The legal threshold for removal requires proof that Willis took official actions that were intended to benefit her financially. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrdnttjLRvM Why did D.A. Willis have six months of cash in her home? 3
Background and Key Concepts Former President Trump is facing myriad legal challenges as he seeks reelection to the White House. Trump is facing concurrent criminal indictments and civil cases in several jurisdictions including Georgia, Florida, New York, and Washington D.C. Only the civil cases have reached the verdict phase, but the criminal cases have been beset by delays. Earlier this year, a jury found that former President Trump had defamed journalist E. Jean Carroll and ordered him to pay her $83.3 million dollars. District Attorney Fani Willis has been under fire since it was reported she had maintained a romantic relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade. If Willis is disqualified, it could jeopardize the Georgia election interference case. Judge Engoron had already ruled against the Trump Organization but waited until Friday to announce the total of $355 million in damages. Trump s New York hush money case is scheduled to begin March 25th. The Supreme Court is weighing Trump s total immunity case. 4
Assessment Writing: Explain why Judge Engoron feels that the judgment against former President Trump will have a deterrent effect . Why did the judge stop short of issuing the corporate death penalty? Debate: Did Fani Willis exercise poor judgment in starting a romantic relationship with a subordinate or is her relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade a private matter? Poll: Is $355 million an appropriate judgment against the former president? Short Answer: How has former President Trump capitalized politically from his court appearances? 5
