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Trump is the First President to Take the Fifth – What Does That Mean?

By August 11, 2022No Comments

In response to a question asked during a deposition by the New York Attorney General’s office, former President Donald Trump invoked the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

 

The Fifth Amendment establishes a number of rights related to legal proceedings.  One of these is that no one “shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself.” This usually means criminal defendants do not have to testify against themselves.

 

Trump explained his actions, saying:

 

“When your family, your company, and all the people in your orbit have become the targets of an unfounded, politically motivated Witch Hunt supported by lawyers, prosecutors, and the Fake News Media, you have no choice.”

 

See FindLaw for more detail on the Fifth Amendment.