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Crowds, traffic remain orderly as Trump NYC civil fraud case begins
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Published Oct 2, 2023
Modified Oct 2, 2023
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Brittany Kriegstein / Gothamist
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Published Oct 2, 2023
Modified Oct 2, 2023
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Despite lively debate inside the courtroom on the first day of former President Donald J. Trump’s civil fraud trial, the crowds outside the courthouse remained small and orderly Monday morning.
Most roads remained open and traffic moved slowly around the courthouse as press lined the sidewalk.
Trump entered the building unseen by the crowds and without any fanfare, but Attorney General Letitia James arrived in front of the courthouse around 9:30 a.m. to cheers and chants from about 30 anti-Trump protesters who had gathered. About a half dozen Trump supporters were also gathered, waving flags.
“I'm here to support A.G. James and thank her for finally holding Trump accountable for his crimes. He's been a crime boss for decades, New Yorkers know it, and it's time for America to know it,” said Brooklynite Julie DeLaurier, who was holding a sign showing a cartoonish Trump behind bars.
“I’m here because Trump needs to face justice,” said Kathleen Zea, a retiree who now runs a company selling protest signs and T-shirts. “If it were any one of us who had done one-twentieth of the things that he’s done, you can’t imagine that any of us… could still be walking around free, and suggesting violence against people.”
The anti-Trump protesters were countered by a small handful of Trump supporters with flags and MAGA hats. Supporter Dion Cini, who was waving a massive flag of his own, called the proceedings “another insurrection against Donald Trump.”
“I’m actually here to witness it in person, so I don’t get more information from the fake news,” said Cini, who lives in South Brooklyn. “I want to see this stuff with my own eyes.”
The civil fraud case brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James accuses Trump, his two eldest sons and several business executives of inflating the values of their company assets to save hundreds of millions of dollars on loans and insurance.
On Sunday evening, Trump posted on Truth Social that he would attend court Monday to “fight for my name and reputation,” calling James racist and calling the case a “sham.”
James is seeking at least $250 million in penalties, along with a ban against Trump and his sons Donald Jr. and Eric from running businesses in New York. She also wants a five-year commercial real estate ban against Trump and the Trump Organization.
The case will play out before Judge Arthur F. Engoron in a bench trial, which means there is no jury. Engoron will ultimately decide if the defendants are liable, and whether they owe damages or additional penalties.
Proceedings may last through December, although they could move faster.
Monday’s event bore little resemblance to the packed crowds and media frenzy outside Trump’s criminal court appearance in April, related to hush money payments he made to cover up an alleged affair.
Tagged
Politics
public safety
manhattan
Brittany Kriegstein
Brittany Kriegstein covers all breaking news around New York City, with a focus on crime and gun violence. Got a tip? Email Brittany at [email protected].
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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