Representative Marjorie Greene is infamous for her controversial comments and political opinions. Recently, she shared her views on former President Donald Trump’s court ruling. A judge ruled that Trump must pay $355 million in a fraud case. Greene took to social media to share her belief that this judge should be removed.
Marjorie Taylor Greene Calls for Judge’s Dismissal
Greene criticized New York Judge Arthur Engoron, who was involved in the case. He ruled against Trump and ordered that he pay $355 million. Greene’s called for Engoron to be “disrobed” and removed from his position. She argued that Engoron’s ruling was “ridiculous” and defended Trump.
Greene’s Comments
She wrote on Twitter, “Judge Engoron should be disrobed and thrown out, he’s a disgrace!! Mar-a-lago in 1981 was only a home, today it is one of the most exclusive social clubs in the world. Mar-a-lago is worth more now than the ridiculous judgement [sic] he ruled against Pres Trump!”
The Essence of the Legal Verdict
Judge Engoron ruled that Trump and his company had willingly lied about the value of his assets, including his Mar-a-Lago property in Florida. Prosecutors claimed that Trump did this to score better loans from banks and insurance policies. Trump has consistently denied these claims and pled not guilty.
Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Valuation Disputed
At the heart of the legal dispute is the valuation of Trump’s Mar-a-Lago property. Trump claimed in official documents that it was worth over $1 billion. However, Judge Engoron agreed with a Palm Beach appraiser’s much lower valuation of $18 million to $27 million, challenging Trump’s assessment.
Engoron Rejects Claims
However, Engoron has been accused of political bias. He defended his ruling, claiming that he worked with local real estate appraisers to understand the true value of the property. Trump’s team also claimed that the ruling was unfair since valuations are not subjective. Engoron said, “When two appraisals rely on starkly different assumptions, that is not evidence of a difference of opinion, that is evidence of deceit.”
The Penalty
Engoron also shared his thoughts on the penalty. He justified it by saying, “This action is not the first time the Trump Organization or its related entities has been found to have engaged in corporate malfeasance. Of course, the more evidence there is of defendants’ ongoing propensity to engage in fraud, the more need there is for the Court to impose stricter injunctive relief. This is not defendants’ first rodeo.”
Trump’s Legal Strategy
In response to the verdict, Trump’s team has said they will appeal it, as they have argued that the ruling is both biased and unfair. They intend to reject the allegations of fraud and the ban put against Trump. This stops him from being an executive or director of any New York business for three years. They have used multiple arguments to support their opinions.
Trump’s Defense
As part of his defense, Trump also claimed that his choice to change the valuation is not something new. He argued that many real estate moguls do this, so he should not be singled out for punishment. However, Judge Engoron was quick to dismiss his claims, saying that this does not excuse his actions.
Not Everybody Does It
He said, “the common excuse that ‘everybody does it’ is all the more reason to strive for honesty and transparency and to be vigilant in enforcing the rules. Here, despite the false financial statements, it is undisputed that defendants have made all required payments on time; the next group of lenders to receive bogus statements might not be so lucky. New York means business in combating business fraud.”
No Victim
Trump’s defense team also claimed that there were no victims involved in the case. They have said that the fraudulent valuation hurt nobody, so, therefore, there were no victims. As such, his team claimed that he should not be punished for his actions as there was no crime committed.
There Was a Victim
Engoron said, “Materiality has been one of the great red herrings of this case all along. Faced with clear evidence of a misstatement, a person can always shout that ‘it’s immaterial.’ Absolute perfection, including with numbers, exists only in heaven. If fraud is insignificant, then, like most things in life, it just does not matter. As an ancient maxim has it, de minimis non curat lex, the law is not concerned with trifles. Neither is this Court.”
Delay in Judgment Payment
Trump’s legal team has attempted to get a 30-day extension for the payment of the judgment. They claim that the New York Attorney General has been too hasty in trying to enforce the verdict. However, this extension was recently denied, with Engoron claiming Trump had “failed to explain, much less justify, any basis for a stay.”
Other Punishments
As part of the ruling, the Trump Organization must also employ an independent monitor to ensure they comply with rules. Judge Engoron said, “The Trump Organization does not have the ability to operate with a functional financial reporting structure that would protect against fraud in the future. The fact that there are virtually no internal controls in place at the Trump Organization, ‘creates an atmosphere conducive to Fraud.’”
The Verdict’s Broader Consequences
The $355 million judgment against Trump has led to many Republicans criticizing the judge. Shark Tank businessman Kevin O’Leary has claimed the decision will harm New York’s business climate. He claims it will stop entrepreneurs and investors from operating in the city as they will fear unpredictable legal outcomes.
Eric Trump’s Perspective
Eric Trump has expressed disappointment with the verdict. Like his father, he claimed it was an unfair treatment of his father’s contributions to New York City. Eric spoke about the emotional toll and reputational damage of the ruling. He claimed this overshadows how the Trump family has helped to improve the city’s development and economy.
New York Attorney General’s Position
Letitia James is the New York Attorney General. She has said that if he does not pay the fine, then she will not hesitate to seize his assets. These have been valued at around $100 million, according to certain documents. She previously said, “No matter how powerful you think you are, or how much money you think you have, everyone is equal under the law, even Donald Trump.”
Trump’s Ongoing Legal Battles
However, this is not Trump’s only legal case. He is involved in numerous civil and criminal cases across various jurisdictions and various allegations. Some of these include claims that he mishandled sensitive documents related to America’s nuclear defense program. He has maintained his innocence and claimed the legal cases are a “witch hunt.”
Trump’s Political Standing
Despite the legal controversies, Trump is still the likely Republican presidential candidate. He is currently leading in Republican primary polls for the presidential election. For many Republican voters, his legal issues do not make him less worthy of a candidate. In fact, many of them agree with his claims of a political “witch hunt.”
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