Haitian American legislator welcomes contempt of court ruling against Trump

NEW YORK, NY– The Haitian American chair of the Brooklyn Democratic Party has welcomed a New York judge ruling that former United States President Donald J. Trump is in contempt of court for failing to comply with a subpoena issued by New York Attorney General Letitia James as part of a civil investigation into his business dealings.

Justice Arthur Engoron also imposed a US$10,000 fine on Trump for every day that he continues to violate the court’s order to produce the documents.

“Working-class Americans were deceived by GOP (Grand Old Party, or Republican Party) extremists and the Trump administration,” said Assembly Member Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, the daughter of Haitian immigrants.

“Trump and his cronies rigged the economy in favor of the wealthiest one percent while rolling back regulations that protected workers and their pay,” added the representative for the 42nd Assembly District in Brooklyn.

“Brooklyn Democrats are cheering Attorney General Letitia James for calling Trump on his bluff. Americans from all 50 states now see what we have long known in New York: Attorney General Letitia James is a champion for the people, and Democrats are the only party with workers’ backs,” Bichotte Hermelyn said.

James said the court’s ruling is “a major victory” in her office’s ongoing civil investigation into Trump and the Trump Organization’s financial dealings.

“Today, justice prevailed. For years, Donald Trump has tried to evade the law and stop our lawful investigation into him and his company’s financial dealings. Today’s ruling makes clear: No one is above the law.”

James took legal action to hold Trump in contempt for his refusal to comply with the court’s order to produce documents in response to a subpoena served on him as part of its ongoing investigation into his financial dealings.

“Mr. Trump: I know you take your business seriously, and I take mine seriously,” said Justice Engoron before holding Trump in contempt of court.

One of Trump’s lawyers, Alina Habba, said she plans to appeal the judge’s ruling.