Former President Donald Trump scored a legal victory this morning when a New York appeals court issued a 10-day pause on the civil fraud judgment against him and slashed the $454 million bond amount he was required to produce to $175 million.
The ruling from the five-judge appeals courts panel prohibits New York Attorney General Letitia James from immediately moving forward with her threat to seize Trump’s assets if he failed to pay the bond by 11:59 p.m. EDT today.
Trump’s lawyers previously sought a $100 million bond, which was rejected by James. The Trump legal team stated they were unable to get surety companies to back the $454 million bond request.
The appeals court also paused the enforcement of other penalties in the verdict against the former president, including the barring Trump and top executives from his company from serving in leadership roles in New York businesses for several years. However, the court did not pause the creation of an independent monitor to review the Trump Organization’s business dealings and the appointment of an independent compliance director.
Trump took to his Truth Social page to comment on the ruling, stating, “Judge Engoron has refused to obey the decision of the Appellate Division relative to the Statute of Limitations. This is a confrontation between a Judge and those that rule above him – A very bad situation in which to place New York State and the Rule of Law! Engoron has disrespected the Appellate Division and its very clear and precise ruling.”
