The judge orders Trump to answer questions under oath in the case of protesters

A New York judge on Friday ordered his president Donald Trump to answer questions about a civil action in the Bronx involving his security guards.

Doris Gonzalez, a state Supreme Court justice, ordered Trump to "appear for pre-trial videotaped evidence".

The lawsuit, which involves a group of protesters who claim to have been assaulted by Trump's security guards in front of Trump Tower during a protest in 2015 against the comments of the then-candidate on Mexican immigrants – including some have been filmed – should begin Thursday, September 26.

The judge rejected the argument of Trump's lawyers that he should not have to testify because of his duties as president.

The lawyers for Trump and the Trump organization, who is also a defendant in the case, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Attorney Benjamin Dictor, who represents the plaintiffs, said: "This decision is not surprising – it may be worth the news, but it is not surprising. Is above the law, including the President of the United States. "

The ruling says Trump's testimony is "indispensable" to the case, as protesters accuse the bodyguards of working for Trump.

The judge did not order the president to sit at the witness stand in the Bronx, citing a decision of the US Supreme Court in a civil case involving allegations of sexual harassment against the then president , Bill Clinton. According to this decision, the testimony of the President "could be collected at the White House at a time conducive to his busy schedule", and "it would not be necessary for the President to attend in person, although he could choose to do it ".

Gonzalez also cited a more recent decision in a case in New York, in which Trump was sentenced to sit for a statement in a defamation case brought against him by a former "Apprentice" candidate, Summer Zervos.

After the decision was made, Dictor sent Trump's lawyer, Lawrence Rosen, a letter asking him "to indicate the date, time and place where he will be available to appear." "to testify. He said that he had not heard back yet.