Trump Lawyers Rest Their Case in NY Criminal Trial

The Epoch Times Header

โ€œI wonโ€™t be resting. I donโ€™t rest,โ€ the former president said.

President Donald Trumpโ€™s lawyers on Tuesday rested their case in the New York criminal trial where heโ€™s accused of falsifying business payments amid the 2016 election.

On Tuesday morning, shortly after the court was called into session, Trump attorney Todd Blanche said his team is resting their case after calling up their final witness, former prosecutor Robert Costello.

โ€œThe defense rests,โ€ Mr. Blanche said. Prosecutors said they have no rebuttal witnesses, with assistant district attorney Joshua Steinglass saying there is โ€œnothing further, judge.โ€

The former president did not testify on his behalf as a witness in the case.

President Trump previously said he wanted to take the witness stand to defend himself against what he claims are politically motivated charges. Generally, defense attorneys are loathe to have their own clients testify because it opens them up to cross-examination from prosecutors.

During a news conference near the courthouse on Tuesday, his son, Donald Trump Jr., explained why he didnโ€™t take the stand.

โ€œThereโ€™d be absolutely no reason—no justification to do that whatsoever,โ€ the younger Trump said. โ€œEveryone sees it for the sham that it is.โ€

After the defense rested, Judge Merchan then instructed the jury on the timing of the case, saying that the trial will adjourn for the rest of the day.

โ€œI think the best thing that we can do is to adjourn now until next Tuesday. At that time you will hear summations from the attorneys. Probably Wednesday, Iโ€™ll ask you to come in โ€ฆ hear jury charge and then I would expect that you will begin your deliberations hopefully at some point on Wednesday,โ€ he said.

He added that it may โ€œbe tempting to think now that both sides have rested you can kind of let up a bit, but in fact these instructions take on even greater significance,โ€ telling members of the jury that they cannot talk about or research the Trump case.

While speaking to reporters outside the courtroom, the former president provided an update on his legal plans. On Monday, Judge Juan Merchan said itโ€™s likely that closing arguments will be made in the trial next week, possibly after Memorial Day, which is on May 27 and is a federal holiday.

Byย Jack Phillips

Read Full Article on TheEpochTimes.com

The Epoch Times
The Epoch Timeshttps://www.theepochtimes.com/
Tired of biased news? The Epoch Times is truthful, factual news that other media outlets don't report. No spin. No agenda. Just honest journalism like it used to be.

Columns

Viewers like you

There is no constitutional authority for any spending on public broadcasting โ€“ period. Any questions: See Article 1, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution.

Beyond the Trump-Musk fallout?

We are witnessing an unprecedented, unhinged Democrat effort to use lawfare, big Democrat donors, street theater, congressional disruptions, potty-mouth videos, the administrative state, the legacy media, and discredited pollsters to stop the Trump agenda.

Trans-wormal

No worm ever said "I am anthropomorphizing, I am a butterfly" to a toad or flock of geese and expected acknowledgement and support.

In Greenlandโ€™s Icy Capital, Past Troubles Haunt Hopes for the Future

As geopolitical realities and ongoing economic growth raise the stakes, U.S. interest in Greenland and the dream of independence may change things in a big way.

How a Chinese Government Statistician Was Forced to Report Fake Data

Chinese local govt employee produced a non-authorized report on bees and was visited by police and threatened with being sent to a mental hospital.

News

Supreme Court Sides With DOGE in Social Security, Records Cases

The Supreme Court handed DOGE two big wins late on June 6 in its effort to reduce the size of the federal government.

Kilmar Abrego Garcia Returns to US to Face Criminal Charges

Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a citizen of El Salvador, is on his way back to the US, where he will face criminal charges for allegedly smuggling illegal immigrants.

White House Adviser Gives Update on DOGEโ€™s Future Amid Muskโ€“Trump Spat

A top White House adviser said DOGEโ€™s work will likely continue amid a spat between its former chief, Elon Musk, and President Donald Trump.

Trump Administration Asks Supreme Court to Allow Dismantling of Education Department

Trump admin asked Supreme Court to allow it to resume dismantling U.S. Dept of Education, following a lower courtโ€™s previous order halting process.

FTC Warns of Rising Student Loan Scams, Says Fraudsters Took Millions From Borrowers

FTC is warning borrowers to steer clear of student loan debt-relief scams, after shutting down group of companies that allegedly charged millions in illegal fees and left customers worse off.

Walmartโ€™s Drone Delivery Coming to 5 More US Cities

Walmart is set to launch its drone delivery service in five more U.S. cities: Atlanta, Charlotte, Houston, Orlando, and Tampa, the company.

Court Orders Trump Administration to Restore AmeriCorps Funding to States

Federal court ordered Trump admin to restore AmeriCorps funding to states. The ruling comes as part of a lawsuit filed by 24 states and DC.

Tax Deductions You Can Take Without Itemizing

Itโ€™s not always beneficial to itemize. With IRSโ€™s current standard deduction for 2025 most Americans who canโ€™t itemize go with standard deduction.
spot_img

Related Articles