President-elect Donald Trump’s upcoming inauguration will not shield him from the $454 million civil fraud judgment levied against him, New York Attorney General Letitia James’ office confirmed in a letter to Trump’s lawyer.
The judgment, which includes interest and totals approximately $490 million, stems from a 2022 ruling that found Trump and his adult sons repeatedly inflated his net worth to secure favorable loan terms over a decade. Trump has appealed the decision, but New York Deputy Solicitor General Judith Vale emphasized in her letter that presidential duties do not provide immunity from civil litigation.
“The ordinary burdens of civil litigation do not impede the President’s official duties in a way that violates the U.S. Constitution,” Vale wrote to Trump’s appellate attorney, D. John Sauer.
Sauer had previously requested that James drop the case to promote national unity following Trump’s “historic election victory,” citing the dismissal of federal election interference and classified documents cases against the president-elect.
James rejected the plea, asserting that the civil nature of her case allows it to proceed unimpeded. “There is no merit to your claim that the pendency of defendants’ own appeal will impede Mr. Trump’s official duties as President,” Vale responded.
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