Judge issues mixed ruling on cross-examination of Trump
Judge Juan Merchan ruled that if Trump takes the stand, prosecutors can question him about a number of previous legal issues -- but the judge limited the scope of the cases and the extent to which prosecutors can question him about the facts of those cases.
The ruling is a mixed bag for Trump, who had sought to entirely block questioning on these previous issues if he takes the stand.
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Judge Merchan ruled that Trump can be questioned by the DA's office on six determinations from four previous proceedings, including aspects of his New York civil fraud case and the gag order violations there, as well as both verdicts in the E. Jean Carroll cases and the 2018 Trump Foundation case.
Prosecutors had originally asked to question Trump about six different proceedings with 13 total determinations.
Merchan said with his ruling, he has "greatly curtailed" how much prosecutors can discuss the underlying facts of those cases.
"The court cautions the defendant that this Sandoval ruling is a shield, not a sword," Merchan said.