This week, the long-awaited testimony of Michael Cohen, Donald Trump's former "fixer," finally took place.
After Cohen testified, Trump's legal team asked Judge Engoron for an immediate verdict based on Cohen's testimony. That request was denied.
Michael Cohen has lied under oath many times, so his testimony cannot be considered very trustworthy, which was the strategy of Trump's legal team as soon as they were able to cross-examine Cohen.
Cohen is clearly out for revenge against Trump for having his career ruined on charges related to the work that he did for Trump.
Having said that, a lot of what Cohen testified to were actions he took based on what he thought Trump was implying to him. Cohen even went so far as to liken Trump to a mafia boss who gives you the nod and the touch of the nose to let you know what he wants done without actually saying it.
In this case, Cohen alleged that it was inflating assets to get Trump's financials to a certain number.
But, when push came to shove, even Cohen had to admit that Trump never gave the direct order.
Clifford Roberts, a member of Trump's legal team, asked Cohen:
"Trump didn't ask you to inflate the numbers on his personal statement, correct?"
Cohen replied:
"Correct."
As soon as Cohen was done testifying, the Trump team asked for a direct verdict in light of the information revealed during Cohen's testimony.
Judge Engoron denied the motion, stating:
"Absolutely denied. One witness, who I don't consider to be the key witness… it's absurd.
"No way, no how is this case is being dismissed. There is enough evidence in this case to fill this courtroom."
Trump had blasted witnesses, clerks, attorneys, and Judge Engoron while discussing the case in the media, which was against the limited gag order that Engoron had placed on Trump.
To that point, Engoron called Trump to the stand. Engoron wanted Trump to clarify to whom he was referring, and Trump confirmed, "You and Cohen."
Engoron, however, believed that Trump was referring to his clerk in one of his rants, whom Trump had attacked in previous statements on Truth Social.
Trump had already been fined $5,000 for leaving a copy of the post accusing Engoron's clerk of having a relationship with Senator Schumer (D-N.Y.) on his campaign website.
Then, on Monday, Engoron fined him another $10,000 for making another derogatory comment about his clerk, which was referred to above.
When attorney Alina Habba challenged the fine, Engoron was clearly upset, and he fired back:
"I make the final decisions. I value input from both of my law clerks.
"That's how I do things."
Trump later stormed out of the courtroom, mumbling under his breath, "Unbelievable."
After leaving the courtroom, Trump briefly spoke with the media, insisting the case should be tossed because his attorneys proved that Michael Cohen was a liar.
Trump stated:
"He said, 'I lied.' numerous times.
"And then he said, as per the best television show you'll ever imagine, he said, me, 'I did not ask him to manipulate figures.' That should be the end of the case."
It is rather remarkable that considering Cohen's history of lying under oath, that is who AG James decided to put on the stand to take down Trump.
Again, however, this is not a jury trial, so the only person that has to be convinced is Engoron.
My impression of Engoron at this point is someone who has already made up his mind, and he is upset that his time is being wasted when the verdict, in his eyes, is clear.
This case, by all signs, is over for Trump. Engoron will find for the prosecution and hit Trump as hard as possible.
Trump needs to realize that he has no shot in this case and will have to try to win the case on appeal, which I believe he will do.
The judiciary in this country has become as biased and corrupt as our political system.
