Donald Trump’s legal troubles continue to mount as New York Attorney General Letitia James firmly rejected his request to drop the $454 million civil fraud judgment against him. The judgment, issued earlier this year, stems from accusations that Trump fraudulently inflated the value of his assets, including his golf courses, to secure favorable loan and insurance terms.
Despite Trump’s attorney, D. John Sauer, urging the Attorney General to dismiss the case as a gesture to “heal partisan divides,” James remains resolute. In a letter to Sauer, Judith Vale, New York’s Deputy Solicitor General, reaffirmed that the judgment would stand and that the office would defend it through the appeal process.
Vale emphasized that Trump’s presidency offers no immunity from civil litigation, citing that “the ordinary burdens of civil litigation do not impede the President’s official duties” in a manner that violates the U.S. Constitution.
The judgment poses significant risks for Trump, potentially leading to the loss of some of his most prized assets. If he fails to secure a reversal on appeal, courts could seize properties deemed to have been fraudulently valued, including his golf courses. Trump has previously acknowledged the financial strain, admitting the possibility of being forced to mortgage or sell some properties at “fire sale prices.”
Attorney General James has already initiated steps to seize one of Trump’s golf courses earlier this year, further highlighting the stakes. This legal battle not only threatens Trump’s financial empire but could also derail his ambitions to host major events at his golf properties.
As Trump prepares to take office next month, the judgment underscores the enduring legal challenges he faces, with significant implications for his assets and political image.
