Former President Donald Trump gave a brief speech before being cut off at the end of his New York civil trial on Thursday, calling the proceedings a "fraud on me."
"We have a situation where I am an innocent man. They should pay me for what I've gone through," the former president said. "I'm being persecuted by someone running for office and I think you have to go outside the bounds," he added.
Trump spoke for about six minutes before Judge Arthur Engoron cut him off and recessed for lunch. He had already rejected the former president give a closing statement at the trial after Trump didn't agree to a set of conditions, including not criticizing court staff or deliving what could be considered a campaign speech.
"They want to make sure that I don't win again and this is partially election interference," added Trump in his remarks, challenging the conditions set by the judge after his lawyer, Christoper Kise, asked if the former president could speak for a few minutes.
Penalties against Trump could be announced at the end of January, and could include financial punishments and even his ability to do business in New York. State Attorney General Letitia James said Trump should pay $370 million for engaging in financial fraud over a decade. She had originally asked for a $250 million fine.
Trump has repeatedly clashed with both James and Engorgon, the latter even imposing a gag order in the case to bar him from making disparaging remarks about the court staff.
Hours before the end of the trial authorities responded to a bomb threat at the judge's house. Nothing amiss was found at the location, according to The Associated Press.
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