A New York judge on Friday ordered President Donald Trump to answer questions under oath for a civil suit in the Bronx involving his security guards.
State Supreme Court Justice Doris Gonzalez ordered Trump to “appear for a videotaped deposition prior to the trial.”
The trial, which involves a group of protesters who allege they were assaulted by Trump’s security guards outside Trump Tower during a 2015 protest over the then-candidate’s comments about Mexican immigrants — some of which was caught on video — is slated to begin on Thursday, Sept. 26.
The judge rejected the argument of Trump’s attorneys that he should not have to testify because of his duties as president.
Lawyers for Trump and the Trump Organization, which is also a defendant in the case, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Attorney Benjamin Dictor, who’s representing the plaintiffs, said: “The decision is not surprising. It may be
newsworthy, but it’s not surprising. No one is above the law, including the president of the United States.”
The ruling says Trump’s testimony is “indispensable” to the case, since the protesters charge that the bodyguards were working on Trump’s behalf.
After the ruling was handed down, Dictor sent Trump attorney Lawrence Rosen a letter asking that he “advise what date, time and location will be made available to appear” to testify. He said he had yet to hear back.
