Former US President Donald Trump faces another legal setback. A New York judge on Wednesday denied a request from Trump’s lawyers to reopen a civil sex abuse case. Contrary to Trump’s lawyers, the jury in this trial did not reach a “seriously wrong conclusion,” Judge Lewis Kaplan ruled, according to consistent US media reports.
In May, a New York jury found evidence that Trump assaulted and sexually assaulted American author E. Jean Carroll in a luxury New York department store in 1996. The jury rejected the rape charge. Trump must pay damages of five million dollars (about 4.5 million euros).
Shortly after the conviction, Carroll announced that he would again take legal action against the ex-president. As a reason, she cited further statements from Trump after the ruling. A federal judge in New York has tentatively set the trial to begin on January 15, 2024. Trump is now also suing Carroll for defamation. Trump, who wants to run as a Republican candidate for the 2024 presidential election, also faces courts in several other cases.
Speculation about possible charges against Trump
With a view to another possible charge against Trump, there is speculation in the US about the specific points on which justice could charge him. According to Trump, he was notified in writing by Special Counsel Jack Smith that he was the target of the investigation on Jan. 6, 2021 — at which point Trump supporters had violently stormed the seat of the U.S. House of Representatives. The Wall Street Journal, citing a person familiar with the letter, reported that it cited legislation from which possible allegations could be derived. Trump could be charged with willful deprivation of constitutional rights, conspiracy against the US government and witness tampering.
The “New York Times” also reported, citing a person familiar with the letter, that Trump could be charged with conspiracy against the US government, among other charges. In addition, Trump could be accused of obstructing an official process – the confirmation of his successor Joe Biden’s election victory in Congress. As another possible allegation, the newspaper is considering fraud, citing legal experts and the Congressional Committee of Inquiry into the Capitol Storm. Trump’s campaign had solicited donations by claiming the Republican victory had been stolen.
The Congressional Committee of Inquiry had charged Trump with several crimes related to the storming of the Capitol, including incitement to riot. If Trump were indicted and convicted of this rare crime, his tenure would be affected. Under the constitution, anyone involved in an uprising against the government is barred from holding public office. The offense under United States law is to incite or participate in rebellion against state authority or law.
(sda/dpa)
Soource :Watson
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
