It really is something when former US president Donald Trump - who has a habit of mocking and insulting anyone who crosses him - claims probe into the Trump Organization is being used to “harass and intimidate” him.
Do we need to remind him about the 6 January insurrection on the Capitol, attended by his supporters?
On Monday, the controversial Republican and his lawyers filed a lawsuit in New York attacking the New York State inquiry, which is being led by the state’s attorney general and Democrat Letitia James.
According to the New York Times, the document claims: “[Ms James’] mission is guided solely by political animus and a desire to harass, intimidate, and retaliate against a private citizen who she views as a political opponent.”
A written statement from Trump lawyer Alina Habba to CNBC added: “Letitia James targets President Trump with a callous disregard for the ethical and moral obligations she swore to abide by when she became Attorney General.”
“She has short-changed the state by commencing this partisan investigation and has forever tarnished the sanctity of her office.
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“By filing this lawsuit, we intend to not only hold her accountable for her blatant constitutional violations, but to stop her bitter crusade to punish her political opponent in its tracks.”
The Times also say Trump’s legal team believes the civil investigation is “politically motivated”, with the suit calling on the judge to agree and stop it.
People have since responded to Mr Trump’s latest outburst with laughter and frustration, with some branding it as “ridiculous”:
That's not how this works. That's not how any of this works.
— Bradley P. Moss (@BradMossEsq) December 20, 2021
That a lawyer actually put their name on such a farce is pathetic. https://t.co/4ecibkt9AK
— Sybill Trelawney (@SybilT2) December 20, 2021
And…. so…. He’s not afraid of what might be learned in a deposition?
— McLean Davis (@Ran_dmThoughts) December 20, 2021
Just another stall tactic.
— Carolina Rattlesnake (@TheBigFoxx) December 20, 2021
How is it possible to sue someone for doing their job?
— Don Borody (@don_borody) December 20, 2021
The civil case, looking into where Trump Organization misrepresented the valuation of its real estate assets for financial gain, is not to be confused with a related but criminal case led by Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance, who is still considering whether to charge Mr Trump before the end of his time in office.
Ms James’ inquiry escalated earlier this month when reports claimed she is looking to question Trump under oath.
In response to Mr Trump’s lawsuit, Ms James said: “The Trump Organization has continually sought to delay our investigation into its business dealings and now Donald Trump and his namesake company have filed a lawsuit as an attempted collateral attack on that investigation.
“To be clear, neither Mr Trump nor the Trump Organization get to dictate if and where they will answer for their actions. Our investigation will continue undeterred because no one is above the law, not even someone with the name Trump.”
Ouch.
