Donald Trump's defense filed a brief requesting a mistrial of the fraud case in New York. In the document, the lawyers argue that both Judge Arthur Engoron and Clerk Allison Greenfield "have tainted" the process with bias and that declaring a mistrial is the only way to "salvage what is left of the rule of law."
Judge Engoron has publicly commented on a proceeding before him, posting disparaging articles about President Trump and his lawyers in posts to his alumni newsletter pic.twitter.com/ceV5bRVV9r
— Liz Harrington (@realLizUSA) November 15, 2023
Greenfield's connections to the Democratic Party
In the 30-brief, which was accessed by The Daily Beast, Trump's defense points out that "this appearance of bias threatens both Defendants’ rights and the integrity of the judiciary as an institution. Greenfield’s unprecedented role in the trial and extensive, public partisan activities, would cause even a casual observer to question the court’s partiality. Thus, only the grant of a mistrial can salvage what is left of the rule of law."
The main reason for the request is Greenfield's proximity to the Democratic Party, according to the brief. This is especially important, according to Trump's lawyers, because in this process "the Principal Law Clerk is given unprecedented and inappropriate latitude. Indeed, before the Court rules on most issues, the Court either pauses to consult with her on the bench or receives from her contemporaneous written notes. While a Justice of the Court no doubt has ample discretion to consult with his or her Law Secretaries, this unprecedented arrangement exceeds the outer limits of such discretion."
Letitia James accuses Trump of trying to draw attention away from the trial
New York Attorney General Letitia James criticized the move, asserting that the former president "is trying to dismiss the truth and the facts." James added that "Donald Trump must now be held accountable for the years of fraud he committed. He may continue to try to distract from his fraud, but the truth always comes out."
