Trump’s Attorney Weirdly Suggests Authority Belongs to Trump, Not the Judge

Alina Habba, Donald Trump’s beleaguered attorney, complained to the Fox propaganda network that there was a “real disregard for authority and a real primary focus on politics” in the New York courtroom shaping the fate of Trump’s business empire.

Hilariously, she seemed to be referring to the presiding judge, Arthur Engoron, and not her client.

During Monday’s testimony, Trump repeatedly indulged in meandering monologues, insulted New York Attorney General Letitia James, and even directly criticized the judge himself.

Engoron, in turn, repeatedly ordered Trump to shorten his answers and stay on topic. At one point, he refused Trump’s request to read a financial disclaimer. He also urged Trump’s attorneys to “control” their infamously uncontrollable client.

With this in mind, it’s worth noting that though Donald Trump is the former president of the United States and the leader of the Republican Party, he commands no formal, official, or legal authority in this or any other context. He is, effectively, a high profile civilian with no authority inside the courtroom.

In contrast, Judge Engoron is the courtroom’s highest authority, contrary to Habba’s bizarre insinuations. Previously, the Judge imposed a gag order on Trump, fined him for it twice for violations, and expanded that gag order to include Trump’s attorneys.

The New York civil fraud case will determine the fate of Trump’s New York-based business empire. The fraud itself has already been determined at summary judgment—meaning it is no longer a legal question that the Trump Organization committed fraud. The only thing left to determine is what the penalty shall be.

The business certificates which allow his empire to operate in New York remain in jeopardy, but prosecutors have made additional requests ranging from a 5-year-ban on Trump and his organization from entering into commercial real estate deals to Trump and his three eldest children being permanently blocked from serving as officers or board members of businesses based in New York.