In a remarkable turn of events in the legal drama encircling former President Donald Trump, Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene has sparked controversy by demanding the removal of Judge Arthur Engoron, the presiding judge in Trump’s civil case. The case, which has captured national interest, involves accusations that Trump incited the Capitol riot on January 6th. Greene’s bold statements were made on Thursday, February 22.
Greene criticized Judge Engoron vehemently, alleging bias in his handling of the proceedings and advocating for him to be “disrobed,” a term indicating the removal of a judge from their official duties. This development adds a new layer of dispute to the ongoing legal battles faced by Trump, highlighting the deep divisions and heightened emotions surrounding the case. Greene’s call for such drastic action is something we constantly see from her.
“Judge Engoron should be disrobed and thrown out, he’s a disgrace!!” Greene wrote on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. “Mar-a-lago in 1981 was only a home, today it is one of the most exclusive social clubs in the world,” she continued. “Mar-a-lago is worth more now than the ridiculous judgement he ruled against Pres Trump!”
Judge Engoron vs Trump
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene from Georgia criticized New York Judge Arthur Engoron last Thursday. She was upset because the judge decided that former President Trump should pay $355 million for misleading in his business deals.
Judge Engoron found that Trump and his business had been dishonest about how much their properties were worth, including saying his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida was valued at more than $1 billion. However, the judge agreed with a local appraiser from Palm Beach that it was actually worth between $18 million and $27 million.
Greene shared an old newspaper article from 1981, showing that Mar-a-Lago, previously known as the Post mansion, was once on sale for $20 million. The judge clarified he didn’t personally decide Mar-a-Lago’s value but based his decision on the appraiser’s findings. Despite this, Trump’s supporters have accused the judge of being biased because of the difference in the property’s valuation.
“I’m not valuing or evaluating properties. Please, press, stop saying that I valued it at $18 million,” Engoron said at the opening of one of the trial day’s proceedings last October. “That was a tax assessment. Or, something in that range. There would have been issues of fact as to what the value was,” he continued.
Trump to appeal the ruling, his sons to also pay millions
Trump has denied committing fraud and has vowed to appeal.
The ruling against him also bars him from operating businesses in New York for three years. Trump’s attorneys requested a 30-day stay on the verdict Wednesday, in order to delay the period until he has to pay the judgment.
Moreover, Trump’s sons Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump must pay additional multi-million-dollar fines.
