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'Ethical offense!': Judge Arthur Engoron blasted online for posing for cameras during Trump's trial

'I would be concerned if the judge in my trial was ecstatic about being there,' read a tweet

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: New York City Judge Arthur Engoron presiding over the civil fraud trial of former President Donald Trump found himself at the center of controversy after he was captured posing for the cameras during the trial, sparking outrage on social media.

Netizens reacted with fury when Judge Engoron was briefly shown in the courtroom smiling and removing his glasses seemingly acknowledging the presence of cameras filming the proceedings. Meanwhile, Trump remained resolutely defiant.

What is the $250 million lawsuit against Donald Trump about?

Trump finds himself in a pivotal $250 million lawsuit, a legal battle that has the potential to significantly impact both his personal fortune and the vast real estate empire that played a pivotal role in his journey to the White House.

On the inaugural day of the trial on Monday, October 2, Trump, along with his sons Eric and Don Jr, as well as Trump Organization executives, were accused by New York Attorney General Letitia James.

James said they had participated in a decade-long scheme in which they used "numerous acts of fraud and misrepresentation" aimed at inflating Trump's net worth while simultaneously reducing his tax obligations.

In court, Trump vehemently refuted all accusations against him with his legal team portraying him as a "master of finding value where others do not," asserting that any allegations of inflated valuations were merely a reflection of Trump's business acumen.

Donald Trump's fiery critique of Judge Arthur Engoron and AG Letitia James

Further Trump dismissed Judge Engoron as a "Democrat" and accused him of being an "operative" while addressing reporters covering his trial.

Trump went on to declare the court as "rigged" and launched a scathing attack on New York AG James, labeling her a "radical-left attorney general."

During his heated statement, Trump asserted that they had won "80% of this case in the appellate division" and accused Engoron of displaying "contempt for his own court system."

The former president went even further, suggesting that Judge Engoron should face disbarment, removal from office, and potential criminal charges, accusing him of "interfering with an election."

Trump's lawyers previously highlighted that James' campaign promises to "get Trump" if she were elected, implying bias in her pursuit of legal action against the former president.

In contrast to Trump's fiery statements, AG James entered the courthouse on Monday with a message of her own. She confidently stated that "justice will prevail" in the case.

Accompanied by her legal team, James accused Trump of fraudulently inflating the value of his businesses and net worth, emphasizing that "no one is above the law," as per Fox.

Judge Engoron faces Internet's ire for camera-friendly smiles

Internet users vented their anger at the judge's apparent enthusiasm for the trial. A user tweeted, "Good god this is so embarrassing."

Another added, "I’m glad I wasn’t the only one who noticed. That made me so sad to see. If I was the person on trial and I walked in on that I’d be extremely upset. Was the jury present during this escapade? It’s like they’re making their own up close movie of how corrupt they are. They forget that We The People don’t forget." 

A third tweeted, "There is no jury there is no victim. The judge thinks his property is not worth what the appraisal is. So no jury no victim except Donald Trump. Vote or you risk this happening to anyone."

"How in even the wildest imagination, does smiling at a camera prove anything?" questioned a user.

"Ahh yes the ethical offense of smiling and posing for the camera," read another tweet. 

A user commented, "80% of the case was thrown out due to Statue of Limitations. It’s all a joke."

"I would be concerned if the judge in my trial was ecstatic about being there," added another.