NEW YORK (Fwrd Axis) — Former President Donald Trump invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination on Wednesday morning during a deposition for the New York Attorney General’s probe into the Trump Organization’s business practices.
Trump confirmed his decision to plead the fifth in a statement, claiming he is innocent of any wrongdoing.
“I once asked, ‘If you’re innocent, why are you taking the Fifth Amendment?’” Trump said. “Now I know the answer to that question. When your family, your company, and all the people in your orbit have become the targets of an unfounded, politically motivated Witch Hunt supported by lawyers, prosecutors, and the Fake News Media, you have no choice. Accordingly, under the advice of my counsel and for all of the above reasons, I declined to answer the questions under the rights and privileges afforded to every citizen under the United States Constitution.”
Trump met with lawyers from the attorney general’s office for six hours, answering only one single question.
A spokesperson for the attorney general’s office confirmed Trump invoked the fifth amendment.
“While we will not comment on specific details, we can confirm that today, our office conducted a deposition of former president Donald Trump,” the spokesperson said in a statement. “Attorney General Letitia James took part in the deposition during which Mr. Trump invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.”
James’ office said in court filings that it has “uncovered substantial evidence establishing numerous misrepresentations” in Trump’s financial statements to banks, insurers, and the IRS.
Trump has denied any wrongdoing and has claimed the investigation is politically motivated.
In a statement on his social media website Truth Social, the former president said he was traveling to New York “for a continuation of the greatest Witch Hunt in U.S. history! My great company, and myself, are being attacked from all sides. Banana Republic!”
Trump pleading the fifth comes amid the FBI’s raid at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida. The New York Times was the first outlet that reported on Monday that the focus for the raid was regarding the National Archives materials that were taken from the White House when Trump left office.
