Some of us have expressed frustration with the ridiculous delay in the appellate court review of the absurd civil judgment against Donald Trump. It appears to have entered some judicial black hole where neither light nor an opinion can escape. Now, the Wall Street Journal claims that it is due to a deeply divided panel in a column titled “Court Split Leaves Trump’s Civil Fraud Appeal Stuck in Slow Lane.”
This should not be a close case and certainly should not take this long. The case against Trump was raw lawfare, and the entire trial by Justice Arthur Engoron made a mockery of the court system, particularly his ridiculous half-a-billion-dollar judgment.
Yet, weeks turned into months and then into years as the appellate court seemed lost in navel-gazing. There was also a concern over passive-aggressive delays; the long appeal is not only preventing Trump from moving this case toward the Supreme Court but keeps him trapped in an appellate amber.
Now the Wall Street Journal is reporting:
A five-justice panel has yet to render a decision nearly a year after taking up the case, leaving him and his business in limbo. Behind the scenes, members of the panel have been divided, and three of them have been writing opinions, according to people familiar with the matter. It couldn’t be determined how they are split. Justices do occasionally shift their positions, and the number of opinions could change, the people said.
…
The panel hearing the Trump appeal includes four judges appointed by Democratic governors and one Republican appointee, David Friedman, who is regarded as among the most conservative of the court’s 21 members. The court’s presiding justice, Renwick, also on the panel, is viewed as a stalwart liberal who has an institutional interest in seeking consensus and guarding the court’s reputation.
It is not a good thing to see a leak of this kind from any court. The United States Supreme Court was rocked by the leaking of a draft opinion of the Dobbs decision just a few years ago. No one was ever prosecuted for the leak.
It is distressing to hear that some of these judges may be striving to preserve this nonsensical opinion where Trump was hit with half a billion dollars in a case where no one lost money and the banks wanted renewed business with his company. Affirming the decision would be the final nail in the coffin for the New York legal system, which was turned into a farce by New York Attorney General Letitia James and Judge Engoron.
Even if it is true that the judges have hopelessly fractured, they could do us all a favor and allow the case to proceed toward more competent jurists and final resolution.
There is certainly no rush by these appellate judges to right any wrong done to Trump, who appears, again, to fall into a special category of persona non grata in the New York legal system. This appellate panel appears content to leave Trump twisting in the wind as it contemplates what to do with a defendant who garners little sympathy from its members.
Most appeals are measured in months; this seems measured in millennia. Even with the notoriously slow New York legal system, the pendency of this appeal is becoming itself a controversy.
It is often said that justice delayed is justice denied. However, delayed and denied justice for Trump appears to be a bedrock principle of the New York justice system.
The NY court decision on Trump and his businesses rattled a lot of business people and this is just going to heighten their anxiety even more. Just like the decision in Delaware on Elon Musk’s compensation unhinged a carefully crafted legal system that was supposed to attract corporations to incorporate in that state. Thereby drawing much in taxes and business to an otherwise bland bedroom community of Philadelphia. But now businesses are re-incorporating elsewhere.
This tends to show that judges can be dangerous, unhinged, and capable of wrecking a legal system based on their own biases even when the law is clearly written and constitutional
I think people in New York think they are too big and too important to be ignored or allowed to fail and somewhere, someone will bail them out. I think they err in that presumption. Trump could have been that person since he loves New York but that state has done almost everything it can to drive him away. One must ask “why bother?” If citizens and voters just insist they are along for the ride even as the state steers towards the proverbial iceberg, one must again ask “why bother to intervene?”
Take your business elsewhere, banks as well, move upstate or out into the rest of the country. Lot on wonders out there. The open space might clause anxiety at first but you can get used to it quickly.
New York is rapidly becoming a dead albatross.
NY is an international fianancial hub. There is too much money to be made there to really ever leave the place. Even Trump’s organization is still doing business in NY.
“NY is an international fianancial hub. There is too much money to be made there to really ever leave the place. Even Trump’s organization is still doing business in NY.”
You haven’t been paying attention. Money has been moving out since 9/11. Covid just accelerated the process. Lawfare like this is just tossing gasoline on the fire. Even the stock exchanges are openly talking about leaving. Pretty soon the only money exchanged on Wall Street will be between drug dealers and junkies.
Sure. Whatever floats your MAGA boat.
“Sure. Whatever floats your MAGA boat.”
Really strong rebuttal Gigi. Your command of the facts is just astounding. Hey, take heart, there are probably some dumpsters left on Wall Street, you could always ply your trade there.
“Sure. Whatever floats your MAGA boat.”
Somehow, the fable of the goose that lays golden eggs entered my mind when I read this. Not really sure why, hmm.
New York loses $1 trillion in Wall Street business as firms flee the city: report
“Nearly 160 Wall Street firms have moved their headquarters out of New York since the end of 2019, taking nearly $1 trillion — yes, that’s trillion with a “T” — in assets under management with them, according to data from 17,000 companies compiled by Bloomberg.”
https://nypost.com/2023/08/21/new-york-loses-1-trillion-in-wall-street-business-as-firms-flee-report/
GEB,
Well said and you are quite right about businesses leaving NY. Some are talking about making Miami the new hub of American business. A number of billionaires and hedge funds are supporting the Texas Stock Exchange. If the Democrat Socialist wins the NYC mayor race and makes good on his proposed taxes, just might further fuel the exodus from NYC.
“somewhere, someone will bail them out. I think they err in that presumption. ***Trump could have been that person*** since he loves New York but that state has done almost everything it can to drive him away.
Trump was one of the few to bail NYC out around 50 years ago.
*. NY intends to do that. Businesses run to red States and red States prosper but all it takes is a bad cog in the wheel and it all shuts down.
LA lost all business and now it’s open for purchase by Asians including India and Middle East. Transfer to foreign owners is accomplished, GEB. It’s a house divided.
Laws are either internalized as rational or laws are deterrents to others. In a state of freedom those living by deterrent quickly reveal themselves.
“Bleak House” by Charles Dickens.
What would happen if a hippopotamus wearing ice skates was dropped by parachute onto a glacier?
A dead hippopotamus?
District Judge Amy Berman Jackson was given a bench slap on Friday by the Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. Judge Jackson order granted a Preliminary Injunction in a case brought to “save” the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau which stated in part:
The motion for preliminary injunction to be decided boils down to one question: should the Court take action to preserve the the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau now, before the case concerning its fate has been resolved? That is an extraordinary step, and before it can step in, the Court must conclude that the plaintiffs are likely to succeed on their claims, that they would suffer irreparable harm in the meantime if the Court lets the lawsuit run its course, and that an injunction would be in the public interest…The Court has made those findings, and the answer is an overwhelming yes: the Court can and must act
– District Judge Amy Berman Jackson
the Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit told her:
We hold that the district court lacked jurisdiction to consider the claims predicated on loss of employment, which must proceed through the specialized-review scheme established in the Civil Service Reform Act. And the other plaintiffs’ claims target neither final agency action reviewable under the Administrative Procedure Act nor unconstitutional action reviewable in equity. Accordingly, we vacate the preliminary injunction.
https://media.cadc.uscourts.gov/opinions/docs/2025/08/25-5091-2130273.pdf
Judge Amy Jackson is a hack, a compromised Judge, and Republicans need to initiate impeachment proceedings against her and many other Judges like her, regardless of their slim majority.
Enough of these judges disregarding democracy and acting like Imperial Judges.
*. Agree but for other reasons, Mr. Wetback.
Sincerely,
United States citizen
For the trolls who think so highly of this hack judge, you forget that the appellate court already reduced the outrageous fine for this non-crime, even before taking up the appeal.
They didn’t reduce the fine. They reduced the bond. Trump had to pay a $170 million bond to keep the state from seizing his properties.
Same difference. It’s a recognition that the fine was unjustified and excessive.
No, because the bond kept the state from seizing his property. He still owes close to $500 million now because of the accruing interest and laywer fees.
That money will never be collected as the case will eventually be tossed. Everyone knows it. I sure that the bankrupt state of New York isn’t taking out loans based on the future (non-existent) payment. I wouldn’t put it past them as they desperately try to keep paying off their cronies.
Hahaha, and as I predicted, the case is now a dead letter. How much interest is accruing now you putz?
There are no ridiculous judgements against trump. The system, through the SCOTUS, is rigged for him and he’s avoided all accountability for his crimes. Since he was able to retake the presidency and use it to grift $300 billion since January as a result, having to pay a fine or two is an absolute minimum. He should be in jail for espionage and treason.
“There are no ridiculous judgements against trump. The system, through the SCOTUS, is rigged for him and he’s avoided all accountability for his crimes. Since he was able to retake the presidency and use it to grift $300 billion since January as a result, having to pay a fine or two is an absolute minimum. He should be in jail for espionage and treason.”
Gigi, do we really have to start the day with another one of your imaginary rants?
Another day, another ridiculous rant. How sad to go through life with such bitterness.
How about learning to spell the word “judgment”?
For those that don’t remember (which seem to be most of trolls here) this was the ridiculous case where the Soros DEI Attorney General took it upon herself to sue Trump for some property valuations, in place of the supposed victims, regarding loans made using that property as collateral. That’s right folks, nobody who was allegedly defrauded actually claimed any damage. In fact, the non-aggrieved banks even came out and said that Trump was a model client, paid on time (with interest), and that they would jump at the opportunity to do more business with Trump. This case never should have been brought in the first place, and any decent first-world court (not New York sadly) should have laughed it out of court.
In NY state there was harm done. The state’s taxpayers. When he undervalued his properties to pay a much lower tax he harmed other state taxpayers who were paying their tax without the benefit of cheating like he did.
It doesn’t matter whether he paid on time or banks were not agrieved. What matters is he lied about the value of his properties to get a favorable loan term. Lying on your state tax records and loan applications is still a crime in NY. NY prosecutes cases like his all the time.
The AG did not take it upon herself. The case was brought to her attention by Trump’s former attorney Michael Cohen when he revealed that Trump manipulates property values and the amount of wealth to get favorable bank loans and cheat on his taxes. After two a two month bench trial he was found liable for falsifying records which is a crime in NY.
Michael Cohen, now there’s a real reputable source of anything. Stop making jokes please, you’re killing me 🤣
Cohen was Trump’s lawyer and he did put it out there that Trump was inflating his wealth to get better deals on bank loans and pay lower taxes. That was enough to initiate an investigation. Result; Trump was found liable for falsifying documents and is facing a nasty fine with accruing interest.
“Cohen was Trump’s lawyer and he did put it out there that Trump was inflating his wealth to get better deals on bank loans and pay lower taxes. That was enough to initiate an investigation. Result; Trump was found liable for falsifying documents and is facing a nasty fine with accruing interest.”
Uh huh. Again, not what this case was about. Spin harder.
“accruing interest”
Interest is stayed pending appeal. Do you know anything about the American judicial system? Like, at all?
Nope, interest continues to accrue while the case is being appealed. The original amount issued by the court was somewhere aroung $450 million. It’s now $500 million and some change.
Trump posted a lower bond from the original after it was lowered to keep the state from seizeing his assets. But that doesn’t stop interest from accruing. He’s accruing interest to the tune of $115,000 per day.
Are you still talking? Why do you persist in being an idiot here? Do you enjoy it?
Because you haven’t shown what I said is wrong.
You said the case started because of tax evasion. You were wrong. That’s just one example of you being wrong.
“You said the case started because of tax evasion.”
That’s a lie. I never said the case started because of tax evasion. You are obviously a liar who has no interest in having a honest discussion.
“You said the case started because of tax evasion.”
That’s a lie. I never said the case started because of tax evasion. You are obviously a liar who has no interest in having a honest discussion.
“The AG did not take it upon herself. The case was brought to her attention by Trump’s former attorney Michael Cohen when he revealed that Trump manipulates property values and the amount of wealth to get favorable bank loans and cheat on his taxes.”
You are obviously a liar who has no interest in having a honest discussion.
Gigenius lies so much she cant even remember her lies.
Which all goes away once this joke case gets tossed, as it will be eventually. Not one dime will ever be collected. Everyone knows that.
After the statute of limitations had run out and had to be politically resurrected so that the court could move on with the lawfare.
“inflating his wealth to get better deals on bank loans and pay lower taxes.”
Inflating his wealth to pay less tax. Thats hilarious.
I have your IQ at a solid 90.
Hahahaha, how much interest is accruing now????
“It doesn’t matter whether he paid on time or banks were not agrieved. What matters is he lied about the value of his properties to get a favorable loan term. Lying on your state tax records and loan applications is still a crime in NY. NY prosecutes cases like his all the time.”
That was not what the case was about. He wasn’t prosecuted for tax evasion. Nice try though to deflect from the ridiculousness of the joke case. Three out of five stars for effort.
I never said he was prosecuted for tax evasion. That is nowhere near what this case is about.
Lying about the amount he is worth to get a better deal on a bank loan and pay lower taxes is still a crime in NY.
Where do you get this was about tax evasion? Tax evasion is about not paying any taxes at all. He lied on state tax forms about the value of his properties by stating a much lower value than he claimed when he sought bank loans. He lied about the square footage of his penthouse so he could claim a lower value for tax purposes. That was one piece of evidence against him among many.
“I never said he was prosecuted for tax evasion. That is nowhere near what this case is about.”
Can you please stop spinning? You claimed that was the reason for the investigation in the first place.
Yeah I claimed there was a reason and It was because of what Cohen said about Trump lying about the value of his wealth.
You brought up tax evasion when I never said anything about it. He undervalued his properties and lied on tax documents so he would pay a lower tax on them. He was found liable for falsifying documents and conspiring to defraud insurers and banks which is a crime in NY.
“He undervalued his properties and lied on tax documents so he would pay a lower tax on them. He was found liable for falsifying documents and conspiring to defraud insurers and banks which is a crime in NY.
If Trump lied on tax documents, that’s a pretty serious criminal offense. Any reason why he wasn’t prosecuted for this? If it’s so obvious to you, after all.
He wasn’t prosecuted because he didn’t commit the crime.
Reality is that this case is junk, you and everyone else knows it. It will get tossed eventually on appeal.
He was prosecuted for lying on his records because it’s a STATE offense. If they prosecuted him for tax evasion which would have made it a federal offense then it would have made the case much more complicated and harder to prosecute. Charging Trump under state law would have prevented him from claiming immunity as a former president and prevented him from going straight to the Supreme court. It was a strategic move on the NY AG’s part.
“He wasn’t prosecuted because he didn’t commit the crime.”
Yes he did. He committed a crime in NY. After a two month bench trial he was found liable for lying on state records and conspiring to defraud insurance and banks. All crimes in NY.
The discussion is about alleged property tax fraud, so it is a “STATE” offense. State tax evasion (whether property, income, or sales tax fraud) is handled under state law.
Wait wait wait. You claim that Trump overvalued his properties, right? So how did he defraud both insurers and banks? Surely an artificially high valuation can only benefit one of those two sides. I’m starting to think that you might not have any idea what you’re talking about.
“I’m starting to think . . .”
The Left doesn’t want you to think.
It wants you to blindly agree with any absurdity. And “[a]fter the absurdity comes the atrocity.”
He undervalued his properties and lied on tax documents so he would pay a lower tax on them.”
Thats hilarious and is a lie.
NO ONE VALUES THEIR OWN PROPERTY TAX.
NO ONE.
NO ONE.
Cite it, Gigenius, ya pathological LIAR
“He lied on state tax forms about the value of his properties by stating a much lower value than he claimed when he sought bank loans.”
You totally made that up. Give one example. Just one. What property, what form, and what value.
LIAR
I don’t know about NYC but where I live the county has a slew of assessors that determine the value of property. The owner might argue and present facts, but in the end the county values property.
“When he undervalued his properties to pay a much lower tax..” Excuse me. A property owner does not get to set their assessment, the local government, a town, city or county sets the assessment.
Can’t believe people are so …
He was not charged with tax fraud. This case is no where near that. The charge was that he undervalued on Loan Applications, not on Property Tax Forms. (which, btw, do not rely on self-reports) Additionally, many of the properties in question, most notably Mar-a-Lago, being in Florida, are not subject to New York Property Taxes.
If Trump failed to properly pay property taxes, he should have been charged with that. I guarantee you, the AG went through his tax records with a fine tooth comb and couldn’t find anything of the sort.
The spinning from purple Anonymous here could power all of the air conditioners in Georgia.
Lying on loan applications is a crime? Does Letitia James know this?
We could Adam Schiff, he seems to know a thing or two about it. Do all Democrats like on their loan applications?
Property taxes are not based on valuations of taxpayers.
“. . . undervalued his properties to pay a much lower tax . . .”
Seriously?!
Name a single state or city in the country that permits an individual to set property value for tax purposes.
Ma’am, this is an Arbys.
“In NY state there was harm done. ”
This anonymous sounds too much like George Svelaz. Even the icon looks like a chicken laid out and ready to be had.
In Mark Pomerantz’s “The People vs. Donald Trump: An Inside Account”, it turns out that NY property assessors do not base the assessed value on the self assessments of property owners – not just DJT. According to Mr. Pomerantz, when the District Attorney of NY (DANY) was all set to start proceedings on DJT on the basis of providing a false Statement of Financial Condition (SOFC) for property tax assessment, no one at the office had even bothered to ask the NY tax assessors how they determine their property valuations. It turns out they ignored the Trump organization’s (and all other real estate company’s) self assessments. So then according to Mr. Pomerantz, DANY pulled back. I suspect Deutsche Bank also had their own valuation assessment of the collateral offered by the Trump organization. The trial, as near as I can tell, did not shed light on this.
So the bottom line is that, regardless of one’s assessment of the veracity of the Trump organization’s SOFC, neither the state of NY nor commercial banks suffered any harm.
You cant be found “liable” for a crime, you idiot.
Everything else you said, equally stupid.
He was found LIABLE” before the trial started, where the F were you.
Engmoron issued a summary judgement and THEN held a trial.
Please get at least ONE fact straight.
Furthermore, property owners do not “valuate” their property for tax purposes. THE GOVERNMENT DOES, with ZERO input from the property owners
Meanwhile, big money and wealthy taxpayers continue to flee the People’s Republic of New York out of fear of the out of control “justice” system.
Nightcourt made a mockery of our court.
The delay is really a concern, but that can also mean the appeals court has some dissenters that are also causing problems. It’s unusual and the longer it takes the more plausible it becomes that this is political. It can still be hung up for months. That’s not all, if there is a decision eventually the case will still have to go to the NY court of appeals before any attempt to ask the Supreme Court. That may not be possible because it will still be a state issue.
Trump was found guilty of falsifying business records to inflate values and present lower values for tax purposes. We should also not forget that Trump’s team sought multiple delays and made multiple demands for delaying the case until after Trump finishes his term. Maybe the court is granting his wish and is waiting for Trump’s term to end. I don’t think that is the case I think the appeals court needs to make a ruling soon.
Hey Speaker Johnson…DEFUND Democrats!
End Federal Aid to cities, states, non-profits and colleges
Ban Public Unions the Political Army of the Democrats!
Sorry mister, wrong blog, the liberals are at bluesky.
This was in Consumer court so they didn’t have to have a jury. In a bank loan transaction the borrower is the consumer. This sued the consumer in consumer court. That is perverted. This should have been in commercial court.
The judge pronounced Trump guilty before the trial began. So why was there even a trial? Stalin show trial is why.
Three things needed to prove fraud. Damages, victim(s) and reliance.
There were no losses, so no victim, and the banks and insurance companies sent their own appraisers to appraise the properties and relied on those estimates not Trump’s numbers. Therefore no reliance. Every business said they wanted to do business with Trump and he was welcome to do buisness with them again.
The judge is not a real estate expert. The judge used Mar-a-Lago in Florida to base Trump over evaluating his properties yet undeveloped property with no buildings were selling for more, and Mar-a-Lago is a business not a resident.
Trump was gagged violating his civil rights.
Any judge at any level that can’t see this is wrong, totally fraudulent and targeted by the government prosecution, attempted theft of property by the government, and unconstitutional violation of civil rights is a political hack that should be removed from the bench.
No, this was a bench trial. Trump’s lawyers messed up early in the process by not requesting a jury trial.
NY state has specific laws regarding business records and because Trump’s business was headquartered in NY at the time it was subject to NY state law. NY has a different definition of fraud and falsifying property values for the purpose of gaining better loan terms and cheating on taxes is a crime in NY state.
The judge used Mar-A-Lago’s state property value assesment as a benchmark. The judge did not come up with the valuation out of thin air. Florida state records were used to show what the state assesed the property’s value at the time.
Trump’s gag was ruled lawful by an appeals court when his lawyers and Trump himself continued to attack the judge’s family and threatened potential witnesses on social media. Gag orders are not unconstitutional or illegal when they are narrowly taylored.
“Trump’s lawyers messed up early in the process by not requesting a jury trial.”
You are utterly clueless (George) about the facts and law of that case.
“Judge Arthur Engoron on Wednesday clarified that Donald Trump would not have been entitled to a jury trial in his New York civil fraud case.”
Why? Because Letitia (“get Trump”) James made it an “equitable relief” case.
Trump could have asked for a jury trial if he wanted to. Normally cases like his are done by bench trial, but they can request a jury trial. Trump’s lawyers failed to make a request because at the time Trump didn’t have the best lawyers he could get. Remember, most high end law firms refused to take him on as a client. So he was stuck with subpar lawyers.
“Trump could have asked for a jury trial if he wanted to.”
He could also have asked for free ice cream during the trial.
With the same result.
The fine clearly violates the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition on excessive fines.
Prove it. Like in a court room. Not on a blog.
Gigi, how do you propose for that to happen? Is the poster going to just storm into the appellate chambers and lay down some law? You’re such a tool.
I think water torture would make you more reasonable. Prove me wrong.
This Banana Republic seems about to elect a Marxist. Time to either fight or leave NY.
Mamdani is a democratic socialist. Bernie Sanders is also a democratic socialist. Clearly people are open to his ideas because the other candidates are not doing a good job of presenting their case for Mayor. At least he’s amendable to changes if he can come to a solution to the city’s problems. The others seem more interested in paying lip service and New Yorkers are tired of that. Mamdani sees something New Yorkers want that the other candidates are not. The polls show he’s on the right track. Just like Trump. He is hated by a lot of people, but he knows what the people want and that is what Mamdani seems to have tapped into.
Mamdani is popular in NYC for the same reasons I think NYC should spare us all and secede from the Union. Turning NYC into a rump state so that the rest of the state can be free again is the only non-violent solution that remains.
He’s popular because he provides a stark contrast to Trump and the Republican party that he rules. Mamdani is doing what Trump once did. He is tapping into NYC’s frustrations with the current crop of candidates which they are tired of. He’s the only one who is providing ideas that resonate with the voters.
Secede. We don’t see Waziristan as a model of governance.
What a bunch of jack wad judges.
Appropriate for a mamdam
Anyone care to translate “mamdam” for those of us that don’t speak moron?
If most people in the world speak English, then can England declare war on the world, claiming that it must defend all of the English-speaking people in the world?
What nonsense are you rambling on about? This article is about the fraudulent persecution of President Trump by NY attorney General and known fraudster Leticia James. I know it’s hard by try to focus and stay on subject. My year old grandson has a better attention span than that.
Extend some sympathy. Its only 8:19 AM.
Yes, England should do this very thing. And Spain should invade California because there’s a lot of Spanish-speaking people there.
There’s no such thing as a New York justice system … there’s a New York court system.
The American judicial system is slowly being sucked into the swamp. Judge shopping, Judicial activism, and judicial equivocation are just three parts.
And just any 3rd world country. We need a civil war.
Wetlands are necessary ecosystems.
https://www.nps.gov/subjects/wetlands/why.htm
Get you’re blog.
The justice system in New York has become the laughingstock of the Republic. It is yet another example of what happens when liberals and Democrats are allowed within 52 factorial cubed parsecs (… a REALLY long distance) of governmental power, including judicial authority. Goofs draped in black.
Don’t forget MA, CO, CA, MN …
The “secret” stall on a clear case of Judicial Tyranny in NY should not surprise even the most hardened critics of the Judiciary. The leak is a clear attempt by someone who has had enough of the Judicial Branch attempt to destroy (financially and criminally) the 45th and 47th President of the United States. The DC Court of Appeals is on the same path!
The “judges” should relax. Bondi’s investigation is just about complete.
Hopefully, to a meaningful outcome.