Photo: Pool / Getty Images News / Getty Images
Judge Arthur Engoron has rescinded permission for former President Donald Trump to participate in closing arguments at his New York civil fraud trial.
Engoron had initially approved the request for Trump to make his own closing statement, but said the former president would be required to limit his remarks to "commentary on the relevant, material facts that are in evidence, and application of the relevant law to those facts."
Engoron said Trump would be prohibited from introducing new evidence or commenting on "irrelevant matters" and said he could not "deliver a campaign speech" or speak ill of court staff or the attorney general.
However, Trump attorney Chris Kise, in an email to Engoron, said Trump has "been wrongfully demeaned and belittled by an out of control, politically motivated Attorney General" and he should be allowed to "speak about the things that must be spoken about."
Kise also requested to postpone closing arguments, citing the death of Trump’s mother-in-law, Amalija Knavs, whom Kise said Trump "was very close to."
Engoron denied the request.