Donald Trump Refuses To Answer Questions In New York AG’s Probe, Invokes Fifth Amendment

As part of New York Attorney General's investigation into Donald Trump's family's business practices, the former U.S. President declined to answer questions.

He had even sued the New York Attorney General in an effort to block the interview on Wednesday, reported BBC. The Trump Organization has been accused by state officials of misleading authorities about the value of the company's assets in order to get favorable loans and tax benefits. So far, Trump has denied wrongdoing and has called the civil investigation a witch hunt.

Trump was angry at the beginning of the deposition, said a source, who added that the mood was tense, reported CNN. Once the interview started, and the state attorneys said that he could repeat the "same answer," the atmosphere turned cordial and professional.

An hour after the former President was clicked arriving at the Manhattan office where he was questioned under oath, he released a statement. In the statement, he criticized New York Attorney General Letitia James and the broader probe. He said that years of work and tens of millions of dollars have been "spent on this long simmering saga, and to no avail." He shared that he declined to answer the questions "under the rights and privileges afforded to every citizen under the United States Constitution."

Confirming that the interview took place on Wednesday, James' office said that Trump "invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination".

Apart from Trump's deposition, two of his children, Ivanka and Donald Trump Jr. had also testified. James' office said that the depositions were among the last remaining investigative procedures to be carried out. Once the probe ends, the state attorney general could decide to bring a lawsuit seeking financial penalties against Trump or his organization.

Trump's deposition came just days after the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) executed a search warrant at his Florida home, Mar-a-Lago. It was part of a separate investigation that is reportedly linked to his handling of classified documents. The raid on Trump's house was backed by the U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland, according to Mirror. Garland said that he had personally approved the decision to ask a judge to grant a search warrant of the former President's house. He noted that his decision to request a search warrant was not taken lightly.