Delay, delay, delay - that is the game plan for the Trump defenders on all fronts. A hearing on Sept. 14 resulted in a possible delay because Trump is suing the judge in the New York civil fraud case that is scheduled to start in early October this year.

Trump New York fraud case could be delayed after ex-president sues judge

Trump has repeatedly sought to delay or throw out the case, and has repeatedly been rejected. But this time, the Daily Beast said, an appeals judge, David Friedman, “grant[ed] the former president’s request in a surprise hearing on Thursday that was closed off to the public”.

Trump lawyers said Engoron defied an appellate order to work out which real-estate deals in the case are in fact too old to be examined for bank and insurance fraud. Engoron, the Daily Beast said, is due to make the decision soon.

Trump lawyers also protested against a recent order in which Engoron rejected an attempt to delay the case, writing curtly: “Decline to sign; defendants’ arguments are completely without merit.”

Following Friedman’s move to pause the case, a full appeals panel was due to consider the question, potentially altering the case or delaying it altogether. A spokesperson for the state court system told the Times the appeals panel would rule in the week beginning 25 September.