Former President Donald Trump's legal team made an unexpected move following his recent election triumph for a second term in the White House.
According to the Washington Examiner, Trump's appellate attorney D. John Sauer has requested New York Attorney General Letitia James to dismiss the $500 million civil fraud case against Trump, his family, and businesses, citing the need to heal partisan divisions after the presidential election.
The request comes after Judge Arthur Engoron found Trump liable for fraud last fall, imposing a penalty of nearly $454 million, which has now grown to exceed $494 million with accrued interest. Trump has consistently maintained his innocence, arguing that his assets were undervalued and that his financial statements included appropriate disclaimers.
Sauer's approach to seeking dismissal drew parallels to historical moments of national reconciliation. He referenced President Abraham Lincoln's Thanksgiving Proclamation, which called for unity during the Civil War era. The attorney's strategy emphasizes the importance of moving past partisan conflicts in the wake of Trump's election victory.
In his letter dated November 26, Sauer articulated Trump's vision for national unity. The attorney emphasized how the ongoing legal battles have contributed to political division during the election cycle.
D. John Sauer wrote in his letter:
In the aftermath of his historic election victory, President Trump has called for our Nation's partisan strife to end. This call for unity extends to the legal onslaught against him and his family that permeated the most recent election cycle.
The trial revealed significant testimony supporting Trump's position. Former Deutsche Bank executives described Trump as a "whale of a client" whose business they actively pursued. This testimony adds weight to Trump's defense against fraud allegations.
An accounting expert's testimony during the trial found no evidence of fraudulent activity. The expert attributed any discrepancies in financial statements to errors rather than intentional misconduct.
Sauer emphasized in his arguments that the case lacks clear victims or evidence of harm. He pointed out that all loans and insurance payments were fulfilled either on time or ahead of schedule, questioning the necessity of the legal action.
The request for dismissal follows a series of legal victories for Trump. These include the dismissal of two federal cases brought by special counsel Jack Smith and the indefinite postponement of sentencing in the Manhattan hush-money case.
Trump has already posted a $175 million bond to appeal the case after initial difficulties finding a loan servicer. The legal team's confidence appears bolstered by a September appellate court hearing where judges showed skepticism toward James's case.
Sauer's letter highlighted Trump's contributions to New York, stating that the case creates a "chilling effect" on business in the state. He emphasized Trump's role in rebuilding the New York skyline and creating thousands of jobs.
The civil fraud case against Donald Trump, which began in 2022 under New York Attorney General Letitia James's leadership, has reached a critical juncture following Trump's election victory. The request for dismissal cites national unity and reconciliation as primary motivations. While Trump's legal team awaits James's response to their dismissal request, they have indicated their readiness to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court if necessary.
