Trump declines to answer questions in New York civil probe

Donald Trump on Wednesday declined to answer questions under oath in New York over alleged fraud at his family business, as legal pressures pile on the former president whose house was raided by the FBI just two days ago.

Trump said he had "no choice" but to invoke the fifth amendment during a deposition at the New York attorney general's office.

In a statement apparently issued after the deposition began, Trump said, "I declined to answer the questions under the rights and privileges afforded to every citizen under the United States Constitution," adding he took the advice from his legal counsel.

The deposition follows an extraordinary Federal Bureau of Investigation search earlier this week on Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, signalling an escalation of legal probes into the 45th president.

Trump arrived  Wednesday in a convoy of cars guarded by the secret service at the offices of New York Attorney General Letitia James, whose investigation is one of several active probes into the brash billionaire's business practices and other actions.

James suspects the Trump Organisation of fraudulently overstated the value of real estate properties when applying for bank loans, while understating them with tax authorities to pay less in taxes.

If James, a Democrat, finds any evidence of financial misconduct, she can sue the Trump Organisation for damages but can not file criminal charges, as it is a civil investigation.