Judge Arthur Engoron smiling for a camera ahead of the trial sparked backlash from conservatives on Monday.
Judge Arthur Engoron faced Republican outrage after video of him smiling ahead of former President Donald Trump’s non-jury civil trial went viral on social media Monday morning.
Trump, who is running in the Republican presidential primary, appeared in New York court on Monday for his trial after New York Attorney General Letitia James’ investigation into alleged business fraud committed by his businesses.
James said that the former president artificially inflated his net worth by billions of dollars to obtain benefits such as better bank loans and reduced tax bills between 2011 and 2021. Engoron, who last week ruled in James’ favor in one claim—persistent and repeated fraud by Trump, his adult sons, their businesses and executives—will decide on six other accusations, including falsifying business records, insurance fraud and conspiracy claims.
