Trump Invokes Fifth Amendment, Declines to Answer in N.Y. Probe

Image copyright: AP [via The Guardian]

The Facts

  • Two days after his Fla. home was raided by the FBI in a criminal case, former Pres. Trump declined to answer questions under oath on Wed. in an NY state civil case investigating his business dealings.

  • NY Attorney General (AG) Letitia James planned on deposing the former president regarding potential misleading practices by the Trump Organization, but he invoked his Fifth Amendment right not to testify against himself.


The Spin

Pro-Trump narrative

This is a vindictive and self-serving fishing expedition against Trump from James and the Biden administration. For five years, all levels of government and the news media have scoured Trump's business dealings, private life, and presidency to no avail. The US Constitution exists to protect individuals from such abuses of power, and Trump rightly used the Fifth Amendment to protect himself from a politically-motivated witch hunt.

Democratic narrative

This is a seminal moment for James. She finally got the deposition she was looking for and that Trump battled to avoid. Trump is predictably "taking the Fifth" and painting her investigation as a kangaroo court. As James seeks a second term as NY Attorney General, she will benefit from the continued legal problems engulfing the former president.


Metaculus Prediction


Political split

LEFT

RIGHT

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