Donald Trump invoked on Wednesday, during his sworn hearing before the New York Attorney General, more than 440 times his right not to answer questions, under the 5th Amendment of the American Constitution, media reported Thursday.
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The former president of the United States was questioned for several hours on Wednesday in Manhattan in the offices of the highest magistrate of the State of New York, Letitia James, who has been investigating in civil since 2019 on suspicion of financial and tax fraud in the within the Trump Organization family group.
According to one of Mr. Trump’s lawyers, Ron Fischetti, quoted by NBC television, the only response his client made was to give his name.
A source familiar with the matter told the channel that the 45th president had invoked the right to remain silent 440 times and not to answer questions from New York magistrates and investigators.
According to Washington Postalso relying on an anonymous source given the confidentiality of the sworn hearing, Donald Trump has refused more than 400 times to answer questions about his businesses, the valuation of his heritage and his debt.
“Same answer” – that is to say the constitutional right not to answer – thus systematically declared Mr. Trump according to the Washington Post.
Contacted by AFP, neither Ms. James’ services nor Mr. Trump’s lawyers have so far responded.
As soon as he arrived at Ms. James’s office on Wednesday, the Republican billionaire announced in a press release that he would invoke the famous 5th amendment to the United States Constitution, which allows any litigant not to testify against himself.
Letitia James, an elected prosecutor from the Democratic Party, confirmed this in a very brief press release after her face-to-face with the businessman, assuring that she “will continue