Judge Juan Merchan ruled on Monday that prosecutors are permitted to question former President Donald Trump about the civil fraud case against him and his company during his ongoing criminal trial, should he take the stand. However, it remains unclear whether Trump will choose to testify.
During the criminal trial, which is expected to last approximately six weeks, prosecutors may ask Trump about the fraud case in which he and his associates were found liable for fraudulently misstating asset values. They can also question him about two defamation cases filed against him by E. Jean Carroll and the civil case that led to the dissolution of the Trump Foundation.
Prosecutors’ ability to inquire about these cases was determined during a “Sandoval” hearing held on Friday, where both prosecutors and Trump’s lawyers debated the permissible scope of questioning. The prosecution has requested permission to ask Trump about 13 court rulings from six different cases involving him and his company, but Merchan has excluded some of these from the scope, including Trump’s failed lawsuit against Hillary Clinton and a separate criminal case that found the Trump Organization guilty of tax fraud.
Trump has previously expressed his intention to testify at the trial, stating, “All I can do is tell the truth. And the truth is that there’s no case.” However, his legal team has not made a definitive decision and is likely waiting to assess the court’s ruling on the scope of questioning.
Opening arguments in the trial are scheduled to begin on Monday, following the selection of a 12-person jury and six alternates on Friday. Other potential witnesses who may testify include former attorney Michael Cohen, adult film star Stormy Daniels, ex-attorney Rudy Giuliani, former advisor Steve Bannon, and Trump’s children.
