Judge blocks Trump from delivering closing statements in New York fraud trial
The IndependentSign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The judge presiding over Donald Trump’s civil fraud trial in New York has rescinded permission for the former president to give closing statements on Thursday, after his attorneys failed to agree to “lawful, reasonable limits” for his remarks. The judge told him that the conditions are “not up for debate.” Following the death of Mr Trump’s mother-in-law, Mr Kise asked the judge to postpone closing arguments entirely until 29 January, at the earliest. On the trial’s second day, the former president spread false claims about Judge Engoron’s principal law clerk on his Truth Social, prompting the judge to order Mr Trump to delete the “untrue” and “disparaging” statements before issuing a first gag order that blocks Mr Trump and all parties in the case from attacking the court’s staff. In his emails to attorneys, the judge warned that Mr Trump could be “cut off” from speaking, removed from the courtroom and fined $50,000 if he were to violate the gag order during closing arguments.