Judge In Trump’s Case Against N.Y.A.G. Is Forced To Explain To Attorney That Republican Former President Isn’t A Protected Class
Donald Trump and his family are in the midst of a last-ditch battle to protect their businesses from an investigation by the New York Attorney General, by claiming that it’s a case of persecution and discrimination. In fact, an attorney for Trump was so insistent that it was a case of discrimination that the judge had to explain to her that it just didn’t apply.
Law&Crime‘s Adam Klasfeld live-tweeted the hearing, in which Trump and his attorneys fought to put an end to an investigation by arguing that it is a case of political persecution. They’ve put forth evidence, including Attorney General Letitia James’ multiple statements about pursuing Trump’s businesses for alleged criminal activity if — when — she was elected to the position.
However, as the arguments in the case proceeded, attorney Alina Habba made one argument that grabbed the attention of social media audiences in particular. She asserted that Trump was a member of a “protected class” — but she wasn’t claiming that the investigation was due to his ethnic background or religion, but his politics.
Engoron and his clerk both chide Habba for disrupting them.
Habba: "She called him an illegitimate president."
"This is about politics your honor. I'm sorry, it really is," she adds.
— Adam Klasfeld (@KlasfeldReports) February 17, 2022
Engoron: How do we know that the motive is Donald Trump's speech rather than his financial practices?
— Adam Klasfeld (@KlasfeldReports) February 17, 2022
Engoron:
Trump "isn't a protected class," which usually applies to race, religion, etc.
(Deleted to fix a typo)
— Adam Klasfeld (@KlasfeldReports) February 17, 2022
Judge Arthur Engoron is quoted as finally explaining to the attorney, who is using the term “protected class” but repeatedly referring to Trump’s politics and presidency, that he is not a member of a protected class in this instance.
It’s not the only oddity in the case — Klasfeld and others live-tweeting the hearing, including NPR‘s Peter Sagal, noted Habba had to be reminded not to speak over the judge, and the casualness with which she addressed the court.
Among other things, she's speaking to the Judge as if he's an opponent on a cable news panel, which strikes me as not wise? Also, the bailiff keeps having to tell her to stop talking over the judge.
— Peter Sagal (@petersagal) February 17, 2022
It's very interesting to watch someone making Twitter-style arguments in a court of law. In the same way it's interesting to see brush fires by the highway.
— Peter Sagal (@petersagal) February 17, 2022
A decision in the case is expected this afternoon.
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