Trump Must Testify Under Oath in New York's Civil Investigation: Will He Head to Moscow?
On Thursday, a judge ruled that President Trump must answer questions under oath during New York state's civil investigation into his business practices. This decision has raised significant questions about Trump's future actions and his potential movements, including a speculated trip to Moscow.
Is Trump Booking Flights to Moscow?
The speculation surrounding Trump's potential trip to Moscow has intensified as legal experts closely examine his behavior and the implications of the ongoing civil investigation. Watching Trump's actions, it's clear that he is exploiting the Fifth Amendment to avoid incriminating himself. However, his refusal to comply with court mandates has raised eyebrows and concerns.
Contrasting Hillary Clinton's Use of the Fifth Amendment
It's noteworthy that Hillary Clinton never took the fifth during her time as Secretary of State. She utilized the evidence to exonerate herself from any guilt or wrongdoing. In contrast, Trump faces a challenge much more complex and fraught with potential legal consequences. His own words are likely to come back to haunt him, making his reluctance to testify even more concerning.
Trump's Legal Dilemma: Ignoring His Lawyers' Advice
One of the primary issues for Trump is his failure to follow the advice of his legal team. His lawyers have consistently advised him to avoid live testimonies under oath. However, Trump shows no signs of heeding this advice. Instead, he will likely provide written responses to questions, aiming to delay and obfuscate the proceedings. This lack of cooperation is bound to create significant legal challenges for him.
Heed the Advice: Written Questions or Jail?
Trump's strategy of likely testifying through written questions is a notable departure from the traditional approach. However, it's unlikely to succeed in his favor. As he testifies, he will likely claim a lack of memory or clear knowledge of certain matters, which the prosecutor can easily counter with visual evidence. In court, Trump's words will be scrutinized, and he may find himself in a precarious position. Any deviation from his scripted responses could lead to perjury charges, handcuffs, and a potential jail term until trial.
Endless Delays and Obfuscation
Trump is known for his ability to delay and confuse, making him a challenging defendant for anyone representing him. It's almost certain that he will attempt to continue this pattern, avoiding direct answers and creating an atmosphere of uncertainty. Despite the best legal efforts, it's highly unlikely that he will ever appear on a witness stand in such a high-stakes scenario.
The decision by the judge in New York state is not just a legal mandate but a turning point in the ongoing investigation into Trump's business practices. It will be fascinating to see how Trump navigates this complex and potentially damaging situation in the coming weeks and months.