On Tuesday morning, President Donald Trump’s legal team rested their case in the New York criminal trial where he is accused of falsifying business payments amid the 2016 election.
Trump attorney Todd Blanche announced that the defense had called up their final witness, former prosecutor Robert Costello, and would be resting their case.
Prosecutors stated that they have no rebuttal witnesses, with assistant district attorney Joshua Steinglass confirming that there is “nothing further, judge.
Notably, the former president did not testify on his behalf as a witness in the case.
Previously, President Trump expressed interest in taking the witness stand to defend himself against what he claims are politically motivated charges.
However, defense attorneys typically avoid having their own clients testify due to the risk of cross-examination by prosecutors.
During a news conference near the courthouse on Tuesday, Donald Trump Jr., the former president’s son, explained why his father did not take the stand.
There’d be absolutely no reason—no justification to do that whatsoever,” he said.
Everyone sees it for the sham that it is.
Following the defense’s rest, Judge Merchan instructed the jury on the timing of the case, stating that the trial would adjourn for the rest of the day and resume next Tuesday.
At that time, the jurors will hear summations from the attorneys, with deliberations potentially beginning on Wednesday.
While speaking to reporters outside the courtroom, President Trump provided an update on his legal plans.
He confirmed that closing arguments are likely to be made in the trial next week, possibly after Memorial Day on May 27th, which is a federal holiday.
We’ll be resting pretty quickly,” he said.
Resting meaning resting the case.
The Trump team called up two witnesses during the trial, including Robert Costello, who testified that another witness in the case, Michael Cohen, was essentially making false statements about multiple alleged crimes at the center of the case.
Costello stated that he represented Cohen in 2018 and recalled that President Trump was not involved in an allegedly illegal repayment plan involving an adult film performer.
Trump’s legal team also pressed Judge Merchan to stop the case from going to the jury and dismiss the charges after prosecutors concluded their presentation of evidence.
The judge has yet to rule on the request, and no specific timeline for a decision has been provided.
Previous motions to dismiss the case have been denied by Judge Merchan so far.
The New York trial is one of four criminal cases President Trump currently faces.
As of now, it is the only one expected to make it to trial before the presidential election in November.
In addition to this case, he faces 2020 election-related charges in Georgia and Washington while also facing charges for allegedly holding onto classified documents after leaving the White House in 2021.
The former president has pleaded not guilty to all charges.