Trump lawyers move to halt fraud trial and block judge's order dissolving companies

Lawyers for Donald Trump asked Friday to have his Manhattan civil fraud trial paused while they fight a court ruling that would dissolve the companies that control some of his most valuable assets, the Associated Press reported.

Judge Arthur Engoron “clearly does not comprehend the scope of the chaos (his) decision has wrought,” Trump's lawyers wrote in a motion filed with the appeals court.

Taking Trump’s companies, “will unquestionably inflict severe and irreparable harm,” not only on Trump and other defendants, but employees and others “who depend on the affected entities for their livelihoods,” Trump’s lawyers argued.

POLL: Should Trump be allowed to run for office?

They asked that Engoron's ruling from last week, which found Trump and his associates liable for fraud after inflating the value of their properties, be blocked. The lawyers also want to overturn the judge's decision to revoke Trump's business licenses.

New York Attorney General Letitia James, who initiated the fraud claims against the Trump Organization, told the Associated Press: “The defendants can continue to try to delay and stall, but the evidence is clear, and our case is strong. We are confident justice will prevail."

READ MORE: Vivek Ramaswamy claims protesters wrecked his car – but police say no

Read the full report at the Associated Press.