Donald Trump has invoked his Fifth Amendment rights, as he was set to be deposed by lawyers from New York Attorney General Letitia James' office.
As reported by CNN, the 76-year-old was set to be questioned as part of an over-three-year civil investigation into allegations of illegal business practices in the Trump Organization.
The investigation is to determine whether or not the Trump Organization misled lenders, insurers, and tax authorities by supplying them with misleading financial statements. James' office is now considering whether or not to file a civil suit against Trump and his company.
However, on Wednesday (August 10), Trump opted to decline to answer questions - invoking his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.
Per NBC News, the former POTUS said in a statement: "I once asked, 'If you’re innocent, why are you taking the Fifth Amendment?' 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."
Earlier on Wednesday morning, CNN reports that Trump stated on his social media platform, Truth Social, that he would be "seeing" Attorney General James "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," he added.
James' office says in court filings, per NBC News, that it has "uncovered substantial evidence establishing numerous misrepresentations" in Trump's financial documents.
This comes just two days after the FBI raided Trump's Mar-a-Lago home in connection with an investigation into Trump's handling of presidential documents.
The former POTUS is alleged to have removed classified documents from the White House that should have been returned to the National Archives once his presidency ended.
"These are dark times for our Nation, as my beautiful home, Mar-A-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, is currently under siege, raided, and occupied by a large group of FBI agents," Trump said on Monday in response to the warrant being executed, per NBC News. "After working and cooperating with the relevant Government agencies, this unannounced raid on my home was not necessary or appropriate.
"They even broke into my safe," Trump said.
The 76-year-old added: "Nothing like this has ever happened to a president of the United States before."
Trump's attorney, Christina Bobb, confirmed that Trump and his team cooperated with the authorities, and that the FBI "did conduct an unannounced raid and seized paper," NBC News reported.
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