Rudy Giuliani, once celebrated as the mayor who led New York City through 9/11, found himself in a tight spot this week. A judge’s firm ultimatum forced Giuliani to rethink his request to attend a court hearing remotely, as he juggled health concerns, security threats, and a potential trip to Washington, D.C., later this month.
The drama unfolded in a Washington, D.C. courtroom where Giuliani, now 80 years old, was set to face a contempt hearing. On Wednesday, he asked for permission to attend virtually, citing knee problems, lung issues, and heart troubles that made travel difficult. Adding to his concerns were alleged death threats tied to his outspoken criticism of the Iranian regime, which he claimed made him a target at a time of escalating tensions between Israel and Iran.
Judge Beryl Howell wasn’t entirely convinced by his request. She agreed to allow him to attend virtually but with one strict condition: Giuliani had to swear under oath that he hadn’t traveled out of Florida in the last 30 days and wouldn’t travel in the next 30, except for legal obligations. The catch? This meant he couldn’t make the trip to Washington, D.C., to attend President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration—a “once-in-a-lifetime” event, as Giuliani described it.
Caught between the judge’s terms and his personal plans, Giuliani backed down. On Thursday, he submitted the required sworn statement but withdrew his request to attend remotely. Instead, he decided he’d show up in person for the Friday hearing. “I had hoped the court would understand and accommodate my needs,” Giuliani wrote. “But it appears I was mistaken.”
His earlier motion painted a vivid picture of his struggles. Giuliani described his health challenges, the burden of travel, and the precautions he takes due to security threats. “I travel when necessary,” he noted, “but it’s burdensome and expensive.” He also mentioned two prior assassination attempts, one in France and another in Albania, which led to prosecutions. For safety, he often consults with a former New York police commissioner and sometimes travels with security personnel.
The hearing is part of a legal battle brought by Ruby Freeman and her daughter, Wandrea “Shaye” Moss, two election workers from Georgia. Giuliani has been accused of defaming them repeatedly, even after a court found him liable for spreading false claims about their involvement in election fraud during the 2020 presidential race. Freeman and Moss have already won a $148 million defamation case against Giuliani but allege he continued making false accusations despite agreeing to a court order to stop.
Last November, the two women asked the court to hold Giuliani in contempt, accusing him of violating the order. The legal wrangling has stretched over months, slowed down by the holidays, but on Friday, the court will take a closer look at whether Giuliani crossed the line once again.
While Giuliani maintains his stance that his health and safety concerns are real, he’s made it clear that some events—like the Trump inauguration—are too important to miss. Whether the court will see things his way remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Giuliani’s legal battles are far from over.
