Trump civil fraud case: Judge fines Trump $354M, says frauds 'shock the conscience'

A sizeable group of reporters is huddling outside the New York State Supreme Courthouse in lower Manhattan awaiting the arrival of Ivanka Trump on a chilly 42-degree morning.

Moderately smaller than the crowd that waited her father on Monday, photographers and court reporters are crammed in a narrow maze of metal barriers that police have assembled outside the building for the trial. The security arrangement, which has been utilized any time a Trump family member has appeared in court, has become a regular part of life for reporters covering the trial and a curiosity for tourists exploring downtown New York.

"Is this the line to see Donald Trump?" a passerby asked this morning.

"Yes, but he's not here today," a reporter responded to the visibly disappointed tourist.

Former President Donald Trump has renewed his attacks on New York Attorney General Letitia James and Judge Arthur Engoron ahead of testimony this morning from his daughter Ivanka Trump, who is expected to be the last witness in the state's case before the defense begins presenting its case.

"My wonderful and beautiful daughter, Ivanka, is going to the Lower Manhattan Courthouse, at the direction of Letitia Peekaboo James ... and a Trump Hating, out of control Clubhouse appointed Judge, Arthur Engoron, who viciously ruled against me before the trial even started," Trump wrote on Truth Social, referring to the judge's partial summary judgment against the defendants.

Donald Trump's lawyers also plan to question Ivanka Trump -- a notable departure after they declined to cross-examine Donald Trump and his adult sons when they testified.

"We are certainly going to ask her questions, to the extent we have questions," Trump's attorney Chris Kise said on Monday. "We are trying to get that done now so as to minimize the interference in her life to not have to come back again."

New York Attorney General Letitia James, speaking to reporters after court had adjourned, said that Trump's testimony didn't change her case.

"He rambled, he hurled insults, but we expected that," James said. "At the end of the day the documentary evidence demonstrated that, in fact, he inflated his net worth."

The New York AG said she "will not be bullied."

"I will not be harassed -- this case will go on," she said.

Donald Trump's lawyers plan to present a defense case that would conclude by Dec. 15, defense lawyer Chris Kise said.

Before court concluded today, Judge Engoron also advised Trump's lawyers that he would not respond positively to a motion for mistrial based on the actions of his clerk who Trump's attorneys have accused of being biased against the defense and improperly influencing the trial.

"I am directing you not to make that motion," Engoron initially said -- but then he backtracked.

"We obviously are going to be moving for a mistrial -- that is part of the plan. [But] we do not want to put anyone at risk," Trump's lawyer Alina Habba said, requesting clarity about how they can move for a mistrial without violating the case's gag order that prohibits parties from making public statements about the judge's staff.

"You can make that motion. And I'm sorry I yelled at you before," Engoron told Habba.

Court is set to resume on Wednesday with testimony from Ivanka Trump.