A bomb threat targeted Judge Arthur Engoron, presiding over Donald Trump’s civil fraud case, prompting a swift response from police in Nassau County, east of New York City, as reported by NBC News, Sky News’s US partner network. The threat occurred at Judge Engoron’s home on Thursday, just hours before the scheduled closing arguments in the trial.
The judge’s home saw the intervention of a bomb squad, though it remains unclear whether he was present at the time of the incident. Despite the security threat, closing arguments are proceeding as planned, with increased security measures announced by court spokesman Al Baker.
The bomb threat follows a denied request from Trump’s lawyer, Chris Kise, for the former president to speak during the closing arguments. The trial, seeking nearly $370 million (£291 million) in penalties, alleges Trump overstated his net worth to banks. Despite the bomb threat and security concerns, Trump is expected to attend court, where Judge Engoron will issue a verdict at a later date without a jury.
Trump, who participated in a campaign event in Iowa on Wednesday, decried the trial as “rigged and unfair,” using social media to express his discontent. The delay caused by the bomb threat led to a disruption in processing lawyers and media through security lines on Thursday morning.
Protesters gathered outside the court with a banner reading “No Dictators in the USA,” briefly blocking traffic. The trial, brought forward by New York Attorney General Letitia James, alleges Trump and his associates inflated asset values to secure better loan terms, with Judge Engoron finding Trump liable for fraud in September.
As the legal drama unfolds, Trump’s court appearances continue to fuel his popularity, even as he faces multiple legal challenges. The lawsuit adds to the array of troubles for Trump as he campaigns for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, with the trial interfering with his political ambitions, according to his claims. However, critics warn of a “frightening future” if Trump prevails in the case.
