Rudolph William Louis Giuliani is a former American politician and lawyer. He served as the 107th Mayor of New York City from 1994 to 2001. Prior to his time as mayor, he held the position of United States Associate Attorney General from 1981 to 1983. He also served as the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York from 1983 to 1989.
Giuliani's father, Harold Angelo Giuliani, was born in 1908.
Giuliani's mother, Helen D'Avanzo, was born in 1909.
After Giuliani's accusations, Moss testified that she and her family were subjected to racist threats, including references to the era of lynching in the United States (1920).
Giuliani's re-election victory in 1997 marked a significant event. He secured 58% of the vote, making him the first registered Republican to win a second term as mayor while on the Republican line since Fiorello H. La Guardia's success in 1941.
The Mafia Commission Trial was considered by Time magazine to be the most significant attack on organized crime since the dismantling of the Chicago Mafia in 1943.
Rudolph William Louis Giuliani was born on May 28, 1944, in Brooklyn, New York City, to parents Helen and Harold Angelo Giuliani.
Giuliani graduated from Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School in 1961.
Giuliani earned his bachelor's degree in political science from Manhattan College in 1965.
In 1965, John Lindsay was the last Republican to be elected mayor of New York City before Giuliani's win. Giuliani won by a margin of 53,367 votes, making him the first Republican to achieve this feat since Lindsay. His victory was fueled by strong support in white ethnic neighborhoods in Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island. He also received significant support in Staten Island, where a referendum concerning the borough's potential secession from New York City was on the ballot.
Rudy Giuliani married Regina Peruggi, his second cousin, on October 26, 1968.
Upon graduating law school in 1968, Giuliani was initially classified as available for military service.
Giuliani graduated cum laude with a Juris Doctor degree from New York University School of Law in 1968.
Giuliani volunteered for Robert F. Kennedy's presidential campaign in 1968, marking his early involvement in Democratic politics.
Giuliani's classification was changed to "essential civilian" in 1969 due to his role as a law clerk.
While reclassified as available for service in 1970, Giuliani received a high draft lottery number and was not drafted into military service.
Giuliani voted for George McGovern, the Democratic presidential candidate, in the 1972 election.
By the mid-1970s, Rudy Giuliani's marriage to Regina Peruggi was facing difficulties, leading them to agree on a trial separation in 1975.
Giuliani switched his party affiliation from Democratic to Independent in 1975 and joined the Ford administration as Associate Deputy Attorney General.
Giuliani resumed practicing law at the Patterson, Belknap, Webb and Tyler law firm in 1977.
Giuliani officially switched his party affiliation to Republican on December 8, 1980.
Giuliani's father died at age 73 from prostate cancer in April 1981.
Giuliani's time at the law firm and the Carter administration concluded in 1981.
Harold Angelo Giuliani died in 1981.
In 1981, Rudy Giuliani was appointed as the Associate Attorney General in the Reagan administration, the third-highest position in the Department of Justice. In this role, he supervised several key federal law enforcement agencies.
On August 12, 1982, Rudy Giuliani initiated legal proceedings for separation from his wife, Regina Peruggi.
In 1982, Giuliani defended the U.S. government's stance on detaining Haitian asylum seekers, arguing that they were "economic migrants" rather than those fleeing political persecution.
In 1983, Giuliani became the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, a high-profile position known for prosecuting major cases. His tenure was marked by the prosecution of figures like Ivan Boesky and Michael Milken.
In 1983, Rudy Giuliani's marriage to Regina Peruggi was granted an annulment by the Roman Catholic Church, reportedly due to the discovery of their status as second cousins. This followed a civil divorce granted by the end of 1982.
Rudy Giuliani and Donna Hanover were married in a Catholic ceremony at St. Monica's Church in Manhattan on April 15, 1984.
On February 25, 1985, the Mafia Commission Trial began, where Giuliani indicted eleven prominent organized crime figures under the RICO Act for offenses including extortion, labor racketeering, and murder for hire.
While facing charges in the Mafia Commission Trial, Gambino crime family boss Paul Castellano, along with his underboss Thomas Bilotti, was murdered on December 16, 1985.
The Mafia Commission Trial, which began in February 1985, concluded on November 19, 1986. This trial marked a significant effort to dismantle organized crime, leading to the conviction of several leaders of the Five Families.
In late 1986, leaders of the Five Families reportedly voted on whether to contract Giuliani's assassination due to his successful prosecution of their members. The plan was ultimately rejected by some families.
On January 13, 1987, three leaders of New York City's Five Families received 100-year prison sentences as a result of the Mafia Commission Trial.
Giuliani faced criticism for arresting individuals like Richard Wigton and Tim Tabor in February 1987 on allegations of white-collar crime, only to later drop or lessen the charges, sparking controversy and damaging the reputations of those arrested.
In 1988, Giuliani's mother expressed her view that his shift to the Republican Party was motivated by career advancement rather than genuine ideological alignment.
Giuliani resigned from his position as U.S. Attorney in January 1989 at the end of the Reagan administration. His tenure was marked by both praise and criticism for his handling of various cases.
Giuliani launched his first campaign for New York City mayor in September 1989, challenging incumbent Ed Koch. He won the Republican primary against Ronald Lauder, though faced questions about his Republican credentials.
In 1989, during his mayoral campaign, Giuliani was endorsed by the New York Post and the New York Daily News, while his opponent, Dinkins, received endorsements from The New York Times and Newsday. There were no debates held during the campaign as the candidates couldn't agree on the format. Giuliani also sought the blessing and endorsement of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson.
In 1989, Giuliani launched his first campaign for Mayor of New York City but was unsuccessful.
In 1989, Giuliani brought charges against Michael Milken, a prominent junk bond trader, under the RICO Act for racketeering and fraud. This high-profile case resulted in Milken's indictment.
In May 1990, Giuliani joined the New York City law firm Anderson Kill Olick & Oshinsky after a brief stint at White & Case.
In 1991, under the leadership of Mayor David Dinkins, crime rates in New York City started to decline. This downward trend predates Giuliani's tenure, suggesting that other factors might have played a role in the decrease.
Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino, Italian anti-Mafia prosecutors whom Riina suspected Giuliani of collaborating with, were murdered in separate car bombings in 1992.
In 1992, the MEK attempted to attack the Iranian mission to the United Nations, a key event leading to their designation as a terrorist organization.
Giuliani won the 1993 mayoral election and became the 107th Mayor of New York City.
In 1993, Giuliani saw an increase in support from various demographics, including African American and Hispanic voters, while retaining his base from the 1993 election, leading to his victory with 58% of the vote against Messinger's 41%. This victory made him the first registered Republican to be re-elected as mayor on the Republican line since Fiorello H. La Guardia in 1941. Despite this success, the voter turnout was the lowest in twelve years with only 38% of registered voters participating.
The first terrorist attack on the World Trade Center occurred in 1993, highlighting the vulnerability of the building as a potential target.
The radios used by the fire department were criticized for their ineffectiveness during the 1993 World Trade Center bombings, highlighting a critical communication flaw in emergency response.
In 1994, during his first year as mayor of New York, Giuliani claimed that the Sicilian Mafia offered $800,000 for his assassination.
Giuliani served as the mayor of New York City for two terms, from 1994 to 2001.
Giuliani initiated a controversial "civic cleanup" campaign in New York City in 1994.
A 1994 study conducted by the mayoral office revealed that the radios used by the Fire Department were faulty, emphasizing a known issue with the equipment.
In 1995, with George Pataki becoming governor, it marked the first time since John Lindsay and Nelson Rockefeller that both the mayor and governor of New York were Republicans.
In February 1996, Jerome Hauer sent a memo to Giuliani recommending a location in Brooklyn for the Office of Emergency Management headquarters, citing security concerns and the visibility of buildings in Lower Manhattan as potential targets.
By 1996, Donna Hanover had reverted to using her professional name and largely stopped making public appearances with her husband, Rudy Giuliani, amid rumors of marital discord.
In 1996, Bill Bratton, the NYPD Commissioner under Giuliani, was featured on the cover of Time magazine for his work in implementing the "broken windows" policing strategy. However, despite this recognition, Bratton's time as commissioner was short-lived, reportedly due to friction with Giuliani.
In 1996, CompStat, an initiative launched by the NYPD under Giuliani's administration, received the Innovations in Government Award from Harvard Kennedy School, recognizing its groundbreaking approach to crime analysis and police performance evaluation.
In May 1997, Giuliani tasked Jerome M. Hauer, New York City's director of emergency management, with selecting the location for the Office of Emergency Management headquarters.
On September 9, 1997, Ruth Messinger, the Democratic Manhattan Borough president, secured victory against Al Sharpton in the Democratic primary, setting the stage for her challenge against Giuliani in the upcoming mayoral election.
In October 1997, a Quinnipiac University Polling Institute poll revealed that Giuliani held a 68 percent approval rating. This high level of support stemmed from his image as a strong leader who had effectively addressed the city's issues. This positive public perception contributed to his successful re-election campaign.
Giuliani was re-elected for a second term as Mayor of New York City in 1997.
The MEK was added to the State Department's terrorist list in 1997 due to their involvement in the deaths of six Americans in Iran during the 1970s and an attempted attack on the Iranian mission to the United Nations in 1992.
In November 1998, when four-term Democratic U.S. Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan announced his retirement, Giuliani immediately expressed interest in running for the vacant seat in the 2000 election. As a high-profile figure, Giuliani received support from the state Republican Party, leading Democrats to recruit Hillary Clinton to oppose him.
In 1998, Giuliani played a pivotal role in securing domestic partnership rights for gay and lesbian New Yorkers. He successfully encouraged the Democrat-controlled New York City Council to pass legislation granting equal benefits to all city employees for their domestic partners, a significant advancement for LGBTQ+ rights.
The New York City Police Department expressed concerns about the placement of the city's emergency command center at the World Trade Center site.
In April 1999, Giuliani took a significant step toward his Senate bid by establishing an exploratory committee, signaling his serious intentions to pursue the seat vacated by Daniel Patrick Moynihan.
While still married to Donna Hanover, Rudy Giuliani met Judith Nathan, a sales manager for a pharmaceutical company, at Club Macanudo, a cigar bar on the Upper East Side, in May 1999. This marked the beginning of their relationship.
By January 2000, polls indicated that Giuliani held a nine-point lead over Hillary Clinton in the Senate race. This advantage was partly attributed to his campaign effectively capitalizing on some missteps made by Clinton's team.
By March 2000, Rudy Giuliani had stopped wearing his wedding ring, signaling a shift in his marriage with Donna Hanover.
In March 2000, the fatal shooting of Patrick Dorismond by the NYPD significantly impacted Giuliani's Senate campaign. This incident strained his relations with minority communities in the city and became a major point of contention raised by Clinton, who leveraged it to her advantage.
In April 2000, at age 55, Giuliani was diagnosed with prostate cancer. He went on to make a full recovery and become an advocate for cancer survivors.
By April 2000, Clinton began to gain momentum in the Senate race, outperforming Giuliani in campaigning and gaining ground in upstate New York. This shift in dynamics led to Clinton holding an eight to ten point lead over Giuliani in the polls.
On May 3, 2000, Rudy Giuliani publicly acknowledged Judith Nathan for the first time, referring to her as his "very good friend." This came amid growing speculation about their relationship.
On May 10, 2000, Giuliani held a press conference to announce his intention to separate from Donna Hanover. He faced criticism for not informing Hanover beforehand. Giuliani praised Nathan as a "very, very fine woman" during the conference.
In May 2000, both the Daily News and the New York Post broke the news of Giuliani's relationship with Judith Nathan, bringing it into public view.
In October 2000, Giuliani filed for divorce from Hanover, initiating a public and contentious legal battle.
In October 2000, Giuliani considered supporting the removal of term limits for city council members, but he was not in favor of ending consecutive mayoral term limits.
Giuliani ran for a U.S. Senate seat from New York against Hillary Clinton in 2000 but withdrew from the race due to health reasons.
Since 2000, New York City has experienced a consistent decline in crime rates, with sociologist Frank Zimring attributing nearly all of this reduction to effective policing strategies in his 2006 book, "The Great American Crime Decline."
In early 2000, the New York Police Department started providing Judith Nathan, with whom Rudy Giuliani was having a relationship, with chauffeur services funded by the city.
Jerome M. Hauer served under Giuliani from 1996 to 2000, first as a deputy mayor and later as New York City's inaugural director of emergency management.
Giuliani launched his campaign for the U.S. Senate in 2000, aiming to fill the seat vacated by Daniel Patrick Moynihan. His candidacy prompted Democrats to recruit Hillary Clinton, then-First Lady, to run against him, setting the stage for a high-profile race.
Newly purchased radios for the Fire Department were recalled in March 2001 after a probationary firefighter's distress calls during a house fire went unheard, forcing firefighters to revert to the older, unreliable radios from 1993.
In May 2001, Giuliani's attorney revealed that Giuliani was impotent due to prostate cancer treatments, a disclosure that became part of the public narrative surrounding his divorce.
In August 2001, Giuliani moved out of Gracie Mansion and into an apartment with friends, marking a significant step in his separation from Hanover.
At a 9/11 memorial service held at Yankee Stadium on September 23, 2001, Oprah Winfrey dubbed Rudy Giuliani "America's Mayor" in recognition of his leadership during the crisis.
A study by the National Institute of Environmental Safety and Health released in October 2001 found that workers involved in the cleanup efforts following the 9/11 attacks lacked sufficient protective gear.
On December 24, 2001, Time magazine named Rudy Giuliani its Person of the Year for 2001, acknowledging his leadership in the wake of the 9/11 attacks and the shift in his public image from a stern politician to a unifying figure.
Giuliani's leadership during the aftermath of the September 11 attacks in 2001 earned him widespread recognition and the moniker "America's Mayor."
In 2001, Giuliani was unable to run for a third term as mayor due to term limits, marking the end of his time in that office.
In 2001, Giuliani's time as mayor of New York City came to an end due to term limits, preventing him from seeking a third term.
Rudy Giuliani's term as the mayor of New York City ended on January 1, 2002, with Michael Bloomberg succeeding him. Giuliani had sought a three-month extension in the wake of the 9/11 attacks, but it was deemed unnecessary by state leaders.
Rudy Giuliani received an honorary knighthood (KBE) from Queen Elizabeth II on February 13, 2002, in recognition of his leadership in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks.
Giuliani and Hanover finalized their divorce in July 2002, ending their contentious legal battle. Giuliani agreed to a $6.8 million settlement and granted Hanover custody of their children.
Helen Giuliani passed away in 2002.
In August 2016, while campaigning for Trump, Giuliani made a factually inaccurate claim that the United States experienced no successful radical Islamic terrorist attacks during the eight years preceding Obama's presidency. This statement overlooked significant events like the 9/11 attacks, the 2002 Los Angeles International Airport shooting, the 2002 D.C. sniper attacks, the 2006 Seattle Jewish Federation shooting, and the 2006 UNC SUV attack. Giuliani later attempted to clarify his remarks, claiming he used "abbreviated language."
In 2002, after leaving his position as the mayor of New York City, Giuliani established Giuliani Partners LLC, a security consulting firm, which drew scrutiny for its client base and staff and was alleged to be leveraging Giuliani's name recognition for lobbying purposes.
Giuliani established a security consulting business, Giuliani Partners, in 2002.
Rudy Giuliani and Judith Nathan were married on May 24, 2003, marking Nathan's third marriage and Giuliani's second.
Initially considered for the position of Secretary of Homeland Security, Giuliani withdrew his name amidst concerns over potential scandals surfacing during confirmation hearings in 2004.
Rudy Giuliani actively campaigned for George W. Bush's re-election in 2004, highlighting Bush's response to the 9/11 attacks during the Republican National Convention in New York City.
Giuliani joined a law firm, subsequently renamed Bracewell & Giuliani, in 2005.
In 2005, Giuliani joined the law firm Bracewell & Patterson LLP, which was renamed Bracewell & Giuliani LLP, as a name partner, leading the establishment of the firm's new New York office. He also brought Marc Mukasey, son of Attorney General Michael Mukasey, into the firm.
Giuliani was appointed to the Iraq Study Group, a bipartisan panel tasked with evaluating the Iraq War and providing recommendations, on March 15, 2006.
Citing "previous time commitments," Giuliani resigned from the Iraq Study Group on May 24, 2006. He was reportedly absent from all group meetings and was earning substantial speaking fees.
Giuliani launched "Solutions America," a website aimed at aiding Republican candidates nationwide, in June 2006.
In September 2006, historian Vincent J. Cannato concluded that Giuliani's public persona had undergone a significant transformation after 9/11, shifting from that of a rigid politician to a figure of unity and resilience.
Giuliani formally announced the establishment of an exploratory committee in November 2006, signaling his potential candidacy for the 2008 presidential election.
In August 2016, while campaigning for Trump, Giuliani made a factually inaccurate claim that the United States experienced no successful radical Islamic terrorist attacks during the eight years preceding Obama's presidency. This statement overlooked significant events like the 9/11 attacks, the 2002 Los Angeles International Airport shooting, the 2002 D.C. sniper attacks, the 2006 Seattle Jewish Federation shooting, and the 2006 UNC SUV attack. Giuliani later attempted to clarify his remarks, claiming he used "abbreviated language."
In 2006, sociologist Frank Zimring published "The Great American Crime Decline," in which he attributed a significant portion of New York City's crime reduction in the 1990s, and nearly all of the continued decline after 2000, to effective policing strategies.
In 2006, Giuliani served as lead counsel and spokesperson for Bracewell & Giuliani client Purdue Pharma, makers of OxyContin, during negotiations with federal prosecutors regarding allegations that the company had misled the public about the drug's addictive properties. The resulting agreement included Purdue Pharma and some of its executives paying $634.5 million in fines.
In January 2007, Newsweek characterized Giuliani as a staunch advocate for President Bush's handling of the Iraq War.
Giuliani officially declared his candidacy for the 2008 presidential election in February 2007, filing a "statement of candidacy" and confirming his intentions on "Larry King Live."
In February 2007, the International Association of Fire Fighters accused Giuliani of prematurely concluding the World Trade Center recovery effort after the retrieval of valuables, thereby hindering the recovery of many victims' remains. This criticism led to legal action alleging negligent handling of human remains at the Fresh Kills Landfill.
By March 2007, reports emerged that Giuliani had become estranged from both his son, Andrew, and his daughter, Caroline.
During an interview with Chris Wallace, Giuliani claimed Jerome Hauer recommended the World Trade Center as the location for the Office of Emergency Management. However, a memo from February 1996 showed Hauer actually suggested a Brooklyn location due to security concerns.
In June 2007, Christie Todd Whitman, former head of the Environmental Protection Agency, alleged that Giuliani had blocked efforts to enforce the use of respirators for workers at the World Trade Center site, potentially contributing to subsequent health issues. Giuliani's administration denied these claims, stating that workers were consistently instructed to wear respirators.
As of June 2007, Giuliani remained a steadfast supporter of the Iraq War, defending both the reasons for the invasion and its execution, a stance that set him apart from many other presidential candidates.
In June 2007, Giuliani stepped down from his roles as CEO and chairman of Giuliani Partners, although this information wasn't made public until December 4, 2007.
Giuliani's campaign received a significant endorsement from evangelist Pat Robertson on November 7, 2007, potentially bridging a gap with evangelical and social conservative voters.
On December 4, 2007, Giuliani's stepping down as CEO and chairman of Giuliani Partners, which had occurred in June 2007, was publicly announced; he maintained his equity interest in the firm.
During the latter part of 2007, Giuliani's campaign encountered difficulties, including the indictment of Bernard Kerik, reports of Giuliani's questionable use of city funds during his mayoralty, and scrutiny of his firm's clients who opposed U.S. foreign policy goals.
An FBI memo released in 2007 revealed that a vote on Giuliani's assassination was indeed held by the Five Families in 1986, although it was ultimately rejected by a majority.
Giuliani placed a distant fourth in the New Hampshire primary on January 8, 2008, marking a setback for his campaign.
An eight-page memo was made public in January 2008, revealing the New York City Police Department's opposition to the Giuliani administration's decision to place the city's emergency command center at the World Trade Center site in 1998.
On January 29, 2008, Giuliani finished third in the crucial Florida Republican primary, trailing both McCain and Romney.
In June 2008, Giuliani's presidential campaign ended with a significant debt. To address this, he proposed appearing at Republican fundraisers during the 2008 general election. He actively supported John McCain's candidacy, giving a well-received speech at the Republican National Convention praising McCain and Sarah Palin while criticizing Barack Obama.
In November 2008, polls suggested that Giuliani could potentially challenge Governor David Paterson in the 2010 New York gubernatorial election.
Following his unsuccessful presidential run in 2008, Giuliani returned to work at his firms. His speaking fees decreased, and he explored opportunities like hosting a syndicated radio show.
Giuliani ran for president in 2008.
Giuliani was an early frontrunner in the 2008 Republican presidential primary but ultimately withdrew his candidacy.
In January 2009, Giuliani postponed his decision on a gubernatorial run, aiming to give Governor Paterson space to focus on his job.
By February 2009, polls showed Giuliani with a significant lead over Paterson in a hypothetical gubernatorial matchup, suggesting a potential shift in public opinion.
In March 2009, amid the AIG bonus payments controversy, Giuliani criticized the Obama administration's handling of the financial crisis, calling for Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner's resignation.
Despite efforts to retire his presidential campaign debt, Giuliani still faced a substantial sum outstanding by March 2009, the highest among the 2008 contenders.
Giuliani openly opposed Governor Paterson's proposal for same-sex marriage in New York in April 2009, believing it would lead to a backlash and potentially benefit Republicans in the 2010 elections.
Conflicting reports persisted regarding Giuliani's potential candidacy for office as of late August 2009.
On December 23, 2009, Giuliani formally announced his decision to not pursue any political office in 2010, citing commitments to his business ventures as the primary reason. This announcement potentially marked the end of his active political career.
In late 2009, Rudy Giuliani announced that his firm, Giuliani Partners, had secured a security consulting contract with Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for the 2016 Summer Olympics.
Giuliani chose not to run for Governor of New York in 2010.
Giuliani publicly considered running for either the New York governorship in 2010 or making another presidential bid in 2012, suggesting his continued interest in elected office.
During the 2010 midterm elections, Giuliani showed his support for Bob Ehrlich and Marco Rubio by endorsing and campaigning for them.
On October 11, 2011, Giuliani declared he would not be running for president in 2012. He believed that his moderate stance would make it challenging to succeed in the Republican primaries.
Giuliani provided consultancy services to Keiko Fujimori during her 2011 presidential campaign in Peru.
In September 2012, the People's Mujahedin of Iran (MEK) was removed from the U.S. State Department's list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations, a move that Giuliani had advocated for.
Canada followed suit in December 2012 and removed the MEK from its terrorism list.
Giuliani decided against seeking the Republican presidential nomination in 2012.
Giuliani publicly considered running for either the New York governorship in 2010 or making another presidential bid in 2012, suggesting his continued interest in elected office.
In 2012, Giuliani faced criticism for advising individuals who had been allied with Slobodan MiloÅ”eviÄ and had praised Serbian war criminals.
Former Sicilian Mafia member and informant Rosario Naimo revealed in 2014 that Salvatore Riina, a notorious Sicilian Mafia leader, had ordered a murder contract on Giuliani during the mid-1980s due to suspicions about his connections with Italian anti-Mafia prosecutors.
In 2014, Dmitry Firtash, a Ukrainian oligarch, was arrested in Vienna, Austria, at the request of American authorities. He has been living there on $155 million bail while fighting extradition to the United States on bribery and racketeering charges.
During a Republican fundraising event in February 2015, Giuliani sparked controversy by stating his belief that President Obama did not love America. His comments received criticism, with some deeming them racist, while others defended his right to express his opinion. Giuliani himself clarified that he did not intend his comments to be racist, attributing Obama's alleged lack of patriotism to his upbringing. The White House responded, agreeing that Giuliani's comments were inappropriate.
In January 2016, Rudy Giuliani amicably parted ways with Bracewell & Giuliani LLP, leading to the firm being rebranded as Bracewell LLP.
In January 2016, Rudy Giuliani joined the law firm Greenberg Traurig, where he held positions as the global chairman for cybersecurity and crisis management and as a senior advisor to the firm's executive chairman.
Giuliani claimed in late August 2018 that the June 9, 2016 Trump Tower meeting with Russian citizens was initially intended to gather information about Hillary Clinton.
In August 2016, while campaigning for Trump, Giuliani made a factually inaccurate claim that the United States experienced no successful radical Islamic terrorist attacks during the eight years preceding Obama's presidency. This statement overlooked significant events like the 9/11 attacks, the 2002 Los Angeles International Airport shooting, the 2002 D.C. sniper attacks, the 2006 Seattle Jewish Federation shooting, and the 2006 UNC SUV attack. Giuliani later attempted to clarify his remarks, claiming he used "abbreviated language."
Although initially considered a frontrunner for the position of secretary of state in the Trump administration, Giuliani withdrew his name from consideration for any Cabinet post on December 9, 2016.
Giuliani served as an advisor to Donald Trump during his 2016 presidential campaign.
The 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro took place, with security consulting provided by Giuliani Partners, as announced by Rudy Giuliani in late 2009.
In April 2018, Giuliani joined President Trump's legal team to handle matters related to the special counsel investigation led by Robert Mueller into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. His primary objective was to negotiate a prompt conclusion to the investigation.
In 2016, Rudy Giuliani promoted a theory that Ukraine was involved in the interference of the U.S. elections. This theory was described as 'debunked' by Tom Bossert, a former Homeland Security Advisor, to which Giuliani responded by saying Bossert 'doesn't know what the hell he's talking about.'
Giuliani actively supported Donald Trump during the 2016 presidential election, delivering a prominent speech at the Republican National Convention and participating in pro-Trump events and campaigns. He became a regular presence at Trump rallies alongside Jeff Sessions.
President-elect Trump appointed Giuliani as his informal cybersecurity adviser on January 12, 2017. However, the nature and extent of Giuliani's role in this capacity remained somewhat unclear, particularly after the establishment of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) in November 2018, headed by Christopher Krebs and Matthew Travis.
Giuliani confirmed his involvement in advising President Trump on Executive Order 13769, which imposed a travel ban on citizens from seven Muslim-majority countries. This order ignited considerable controversy and legal challenges.
During 2017, Giuliani privately urged Trump to extradite Fethullah GĆ¼len.
In 2017, the U.S. Department of Justice characterized Dmitry Firtash, a Ukrainian oligarch, as an 'upper echelon associate of Russian organized crime.' Firtash had been living in Vienna on $155 million bail since his 2014 arrest, fighting extradition to the U.S. on bribery and racketeering charges.
Judith Nathan filed for divorce from Giuliani on April 4, 2018, after 15 years of marriage.
In April 2018, Rudy Giuliani went on an unpaid leave of absence from Greenberg Traurig to join Donald Trump's legal defense team.
In April 2018, Giuliani joined President Trump's legal team to handle matters related to the special counsel investigation led by Robert Mueller into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. His primary objective was to negotiate a prompt conclusion to the investigation.
Giuliani joined President Donald Trump's personal legal team in April 2018.
On May 9, 2018, Giuliani resigned from his position at the law firm Greenberg Traurig.
In May 2018, Giuliani promoted the Spygate conspiracy theory, claiming the investigators were providing material to discredit the special counsel investigation, intending to sway public opinion on whether to impeach Trump.
In June 2018, Giuliani advised Trump not to testify in the special counsel investigation because "our recollection keeps changing." He later argued that Trump could be trapped into perjury by telling someone else's version of the truth, famously stating "Truth isn't truth."
In June 2018, Giuliani asserted that a sitting president, even if they shot someone like former FBI director James Comey, cannot be indicted but should be impeached before facing any legal consequences.
In August 2018, Rudy Giuliani was hired by Freeh Group International Solutions, a global consulting firm headed by former FBI Director Louis Freeh, for a fee to lobby Romanian President Klaus Iohannis to revise Romania's anti-corruption policies and diminish the authority of the National Anticorruption Directorate.
Giuliani was paid $500,000 for consulting services provided to "Fraud Guarantee," Lev Parnas's company. Charles Gucciardo, a Republican donor, Trump supporter, and Long Island attorney, made two payments of $250,000 each to Giuliani on behalf of Fraud Guarantee in September and October 2018.
The establishment of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) in November 2018, led by Christopher Krebs and Matthew Travis, raised questions about the continuing relevance and definition of Giuliani's informal role as cybersecurity adviser to Trump.
In May 2019, Giuliani described Ukraine's chief prosecutor Yuriy Lutsenko as a "much more honest guy" compared to his predecessor, Viktor Shokin.
Since May 2019, Giuliani has urged Ukraine's newly elected president, Volodymyr Zelensky, to investigate the oil company Burisma, which had Joe Biden's son, Hunter Biden, on its board of directors. He also urged Zelensky to examine any irregularities in Ukraine's investigation of Paul Manafort, believing it would benefit his client's defense and had Trump's full support.
In July 2019, Dmitry Firtash hired Trump and Giuliani associates Joseph diGenova and Victoria Toensing as his attorneys, based on a recommendation from Lev Parnas. Giuliani directed Parnas to approach Firtash with the proposition that he could help provide damaging information on Joe Biden. This was part of a broader effort to influence legal proceedings against Firtash.
In July 2019, Buzzfeed News reported that Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman, two Soviet-born Americans and prolific Republican donors, served as liaisons between Giuliani and Ukrainian government officials. Neither Parnas nor Fruman had registered as foreign agents in the U.S. or obtained State Department approval.
In August 2019, Rudy Giuliani made numerous phone calls to various officials, including Kurt Volker, Devin Nunes, and numbers associated with the White House. These calls were later subpoenaed and analyzed as part of the House Intelligence Committee's report on Giuliani's involvement in the Ukraine scandal.
Following Lutsenko's removal from office, he stated in September 2019 that he had found no evidence of wrongdoing by the Bidens and that he had met with Giuliani approximately ten times. Giuliani then reversed his previous stance, claiming that Shokin was the one who should have been consulted, and accused Lutsenko of acting corruptly and being installed by Joe Biden to hinder the case.
During September 2019, as reports emerged about a whistleblower alleging high-level misconduct related to Ukraine, Giuliani appeared on CNN to address the matter. When asked if he had attempted to persuade Ukrainian officials to investigate Biden, he initially denied it but then admitted doing so moments later. In a subsequent tweet, he seemed to corroborate reports that Trump had withheld military aid to Ukraine unless they conducted the investigation.
In September 2019, Rudy Giuliani promoted a statement from Viktor Shokin, a former Ukrainian prosecutor, alleging that Joe Biden had him fired to stop an investigation into Burisma. This statement was obtained by attorneys for Dmitry Firtash, a Ukrainian oligarch. Giuliani used this statement in television appearances to claim wrongdoing by the Bidens.
By September 2019, despite Giuliani's efforts, there was still no concrete evidence of any wrongdoing by the Bidens.
On September 30, 2019, the House Intelligence Committee issued a subpoena to Rudy Giuliani, demanding he release documents related to the Ukraine scandal by October 15, 2019. This was part of the broader investigation into Giuliani's involvement in the Ukraine controversy.
As of October 1, 2019, Giuliani hired Jon Sale, a former Watergate prosecutor, to represent him in the House Intelligence Committee's impeachment inquiry.
On October 2, 2019, Steve Linick, the State Department's inspector general, delivered a 40-page packet of apparent disinformation about Joe Biden and Marie Yovanovitch to Capitol Hill. Rudy Giuliani later acknowledged passing this packet to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, implicating himself further in the Ukraine scandal.
On October 9, 2019, Parnas and Fruman were apprehended for campaign finance violations as they tried to board a one-way flight to Frankfurt from Washington Dulles International Airport.
On October 11, 2019, The New York Times reported that the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, an office Giuliani once headed, was investigating him for potential violations of lobbying laws related to his actions in Ukraine.
October 15, 2019, was the deadline set by the House Intelligence Committee for Rudy Giuliani to submit documents concerning the Ukraine scandal. This was part of the ongoing investigation into his actions related to Ukraine.
In November 2019, The New York Times reported that Rudy Giuliani had directed Lev Parnas to approach Dmitry Firtash with a recommendation to hire his associates, Joseph diGenova and Victoria Toensing. This move was part of a strategy to obtain damaging information on Joe Biden, which was linked to Firtash's extradition matter.
November 2019 marked the beginning of the period for which the law firm Davidoff Hutcher & Citron claimed Giuliani owed them unpaid legal fees, leading to a lawsuit in September 2023.
In November 2019, Rudy Giuliani confirmed in an interview that he had pushed for the removal of Marie Yovanovitch as the U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, claiming she would interfere with his investigations. This admission deepened his involvement in the Ukraine scandal.
On November 22, 2019, Rudy Giuliani sent a letter to Senator Lindsey Graham, alleging that he had evidence of a Democratic criminal conspiracy with Ukrainians, including bribery and money laundering involving the Biden family. He sought Graham's help in obtaining U.S. visas for Ukrainian witnesses. Graham later invited Giuliani to share his findings with the Judiciary Committee.
On December 3, 2019, the House Intelligence Committee's report included phone records showing numerous calls made by Rudy Giuliani between April and August 2019. The calls involved various officials, including Kurt Volker, Devin Nunes, and unidentified White House officials. The report also raised questions about whether 'phone number -1' referred to President Trump.
Giuliani and Nathan's divorce was finalized on December 10, 2019.
Giuliani met with Andrii Derkach in December 2019. Derkach would later be identified as a conduit for Russian disinformation.
In December 2019, as the House Judiciary Committee began public hearings for the impeachment inquiry, Rudy Giuliani returned to Ukraine to interview former Ukrainian officials for a documentary series aimed at discrediting the impeachment proceedings. U.S. officials warned that Giuliani would likely be a target of Russian intelligence.
In late 2019, investigators obtained search warrants for Giuliani's iCloud account as part of an ongoing investigation.
Giuliani played a key role in the 2019 Trump-Ukraine scandal, which involved allegations of soliciting foreign interference in the U.S. election.
In late 2019, Giuliani represented Venezuelan businessman Alejandro Betancourt, meeting with the Justice Department to argue against charges being brought against Betancourt.
In 2019, Giuliani actively pressured Ukrainian authorities to initiate investigations into unsubstantiated claims about then-presidential candidate Joe Biden.
In 2019, the SDNY began investigating Giuliani's activities.
In 2019, the impeachment inquiry against Donald Trump heavily featured Rudy Giuliani's actions involving Ukraine. U.S. ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland testified that Trump delegated American foreign policy on Ukraine to Giuliani. Giuliani's name was mentioned frequently in the compiled testimony and House Intelligence Committee reports, raising questions about potential Logan Act violations.
In January 2020, Rudy Giuliani began hosting his own podcast titled "Rudy Giuliani's Common Sense."
Giuliani cast a provisional ballot on October 31, 2020, in Manhattan, despite consistently criticizing the use of provisional ballots as susceptible to fraud. This revealed a contradiction between his rhetoric and personal actions.
In November 2020, Trump appointed Giuliani to spearhead lawsuits challenging alleged voter irregularities in the 2020 presidential election. Giuliani and his team made numerous baseless claims about widespread fraud, ultimately failing to overturn the election results.
On November 17, 2020, Rudy Giuliani represented the Trump campaign in a lawsuit aimed at invalidating mail-in ballots in Pennsylvania. Giuliani struggled with legal procedures and made claims that were deemed "disgraceful" by opposing counsel.
On November 21, 2020, Giuliani's lawsuit challenging the election results in Pennsylvania was dismissed by Judge Matthew Brann, who cited a lack of evidence. Giuliani and Jenna Ellis stated they would appeal to the Supreme Court.
On December 6, 2020, it was announced that Giuliani had contracted COVID-19. He was admitted to MedStar Georgetown University Hospital the same day.
The Arizona Legislature closed for a week starting on December 7, 2020, after Giuliani, who had recently tested positive for COVID-19, met with several lawmakers.
In December 2020, reports emerged that SDNY investigators were looking into Giuliani's activities and considering obtaining his emails. This raised concerns about attorney-client privilege and potential implications for the ongoing investigation.
In December 2020, Giuliani gave false testimony to Georgia lawmakers about election fraud, an event cited in his later indictment.
In 2020, the SDNY launched a criminal investigation into Andrii Derkach for his alleged role in a foreign interference scheme during the 2020 US elections. This highlighted the potential involvement of Ukrainian officials in efforts to influence the election.
In 2020, Giuliani was involved in Trump's efforts to overturn the results of the presidential election.
In 2020, the New York State Bar Association launched an investigation into whether Giuliani should be removed from its membership rolls, due to his efforts to cast doubt on the veracity of the 2020 presidential election.
In 2020, during a presidential debate, Joe Biden referred to Rudy Giuliani as a "Russian pawn," which led to a defamation lawsuit filed by Giuliani in October 2023.
In 2020, Giuliani made false statements about the presidential election, leading to the suspension of his law licenses in multiple jurisdictions.
In 2020, Giuliani made baseless claims in federal court regarding the presidential election, leading to ethics charges against him.
In 2020, Giuliani accused Freeman and Moss of engaging in "surreptitious illegal activity," based on video footage that was later clarified to show them with a breath mint.
Giuliani's efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 U.S. presidential election led to investigations and the suspension of his law license in New York.
Giuliani's efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results in Pennsylvania led to recommendations for his disbarment in Washington, D.C.
Giuliani was involved in challenges related to the 2020 election in Arizona, for which he was later indicted.
Following the 2020 presidential election, Giuliani represented Trump in numerous legal attempts to overturn the election outcome, making unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud.
By 2023, Giuliani had reportedly incurred seven-figure legal fees related to cases involving Donald Trump and the efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election.
Giuliani addressed a "Save America March" rally on January 6, 2021, where he promoted conspiracy theories about voting machines and made a controversial statement about "trial by combat."
Giuliani's associate, Maria Ryan, sought $2.5 million and a "general pardon" for Giuliani's services in challenging the election results. This request, made as Trump's legal challenges faltered, highlighted the financial and legal stakes involved.
Rick Perlstein, a prominent historian, characterized Giuliani's attempts to delay the electoral vote count following the January 6 Capitol riot as an act of treason.
Dominion Voting Systems filed a defamation lawsuit against Rudy Giuliani in January 2021 for spreading false claims about the company's voting machines.
On January 29, 2021, Giuliani falsely claimed that The Lincoln Project played a role in organizing the Capitol riot, leading to a threat of a defamation lawsuit from Steve Schmidt.
On February 4, 2021, Smartmatic filed a $2.7 billion lawsuit against Giuliani, Fox News, and Sidney Powell, alleging they engaged in a disinformation campaign against the company.
In February 2021, reports indicated that the SDNY was examining Giuliani's connections with Firtash and his attempts to discredit the Bidens. They were also looking into lobbying efforts on behalf of Ukrainian officials.
In February 2021, it was revealed that the SDNY had sought a search warrant for Giuliani's electronic records in the summer of 2020. However, this faced opposition from political appointees, potentially due to the upcoming election.
As of February 16, 2021, Giuliani was no longer actively involved in any of Trump's ongoing legal cases.
On March 5, 2021, Representative Eric Swalwell filed a civil lawsuit against Giuliani and others, seeking damages for their alleged role in inciting the Capitol riot.
A March 2021 intelligence report identified Ukrainian politician Andrii Derkach as a conduit for Russian disinformation efforts, including promoting false narratives about Biden.
In April 2021, it was reported that the SDNY investigation had expanded to include a criminal probe into Andrii Derkach and Andrii Artemenko, signaling a widening scope of the investigation related to foreign interference.
By April 2021, the U.S. attorney's office in Manhattan was investigating Rudy Giuliani and his associates for their role in the removal of Marie Yovanovitch as U.S. ambassador to Ukraine. This was part of the broader scrutiny Giuliani faced over his actions in the Ukraine scandal.
In April 2021, it was disclosed that Giuliani's iCloud account had been searched by investigators in late 2019, raising legal challenges related to attorney-client privilege.
On April 28, 2021, federal investigators executed search warrants at Giuliani's office and apartment, seizing electronic devices. This marked a significant escalation in the investigation.
In May 2021, reports emerged that investigators had questioned witnesses regarding Giuliani's connections, specifically focusing on his relationship with Firtash.
In May 2021, the SDNY confirmed the search of Giuliani's iCloud account and asserted that it was part of a larger, ongoing investigation involving Giuliani, Toensing, and others.
On June 8, 2021, CNN released exclusive audio of a 2019 phone call between Giuliani and Ukrainian officials, revealing his persistent efforts to push for investigations into unfounded conspiracies concerning Joe Biden.
In June 2021, Giuliani's law license was suspended in New York state pending investigation into his attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.
On June 24, 2021, a New York appellate court suspended Giuliani's law license due to "demonstrably false and misleading statements" related to the 2020 election.
Giuliani's law license was also suspended in Washington, D.C., on July 7, 2021.
As of July 2021, Trump had stopped funding Giuliani's legal battles related to the 2020 election. This decision, made after Trump had left office, signaled a shift in their relationship and the end of financial support for Giuliani's efforts.
On September 10, 2021, Fox News prohibited Giuliani and his son, Andrew, from appearing on their network for a period of approximately three months.
Fruman entered a guilty plea in September 2021 for soliciting a contribution from a foreign national.
In October 2021, Trump remarked that he compensates his lawyers when they perform well. This comment, made in a different context, raised questions about whether Giuliani's lack of payment was linked to the perceived effectiveness of his legal work.
Ruby Freeman and Wandrea "Shaye" Moss, two Georgia election workers, filed a defamation lawsuit against Giuliani in December 2021 following his false allegations that they manipulated votes.
In January 2022, over 3,000 of Giuliani's communications were released to prosecutors after a review by a special master, who ensured attorney-client privilege was maintained.
In January 2022, the House Select Committee on the January 6 Attack issued a subpoena to Giuliani.
In March 2022, a New York State Supreme Court judge allowed Smartmatic's defamation lawsuit against Fox News and Giuliani to proceed, although some claims were dismissed.
Responding to a subpoena, Giuliani testified before the House Select Committee on the January 6 Attack on May 20, 2022.
On June 10, 2022, ethics charges were filed against Giuliani in Washington, D.C., for baseless claims made in federal court filings regarding the 2020 election.
On June 27, 2022, Giuliani was involved in an altercation at a ShopRite supermarket in Staten Island where he was allegedly slapped on the back by an employee, Daniel Gill. Giuliani claimed the slap was much more severe than it appeared in video footage.
In August 2022, reports emerged suggesting that the SDNY was unlikely to indict Giuliani for his actions related to Ukraine, marking a potential turning point in the investigation.
In September 2022, the charges against Daniel Gill were reduced and an agreement was reached where the charges would be dismissed if he didn't violate the law for six months.
On December 15, 2022, the D.C. Bar Disciplinary Counsel recommended that Giuliani be disbarred for making false election fraud claims and trying to overturn the 2020 presidential election results.
In February 2023, two counts in Smartmatic's defamation lawsuit against Giuliani that had been previously dismissed were reinstated.
In April 2023, facing mounting legal fees, Giuliani and his lawyer Robert Costello met with Trump twice at Mar-a-Lago to request financial help. A Trump PAC subsequently paid $340,000 towards Giuliani's data storage bill.
In May 2023, Daniel Gill filed a lawsuit against Giuliani, seeking damages for various claims including false arrest, defamation, and emotional distress.
On May 15, 2023, Noelle Dunphy, a former employee of Rudy Giuliani, filed a lawsuit against him alleging sexual assault, wage theft, and abuse of power, claiming Giuliani made sexually inappropriate comments and created a hostile work environment.
On July 7, 2023, a hearing committee of the Board on Professional Responsibility recommended that Giuliani be disbarred.
July 2023 marked the end of the period for which law firm Davidoff Hutcher & Citron claimed Giuliani owed them over $1.3 million in unpaid legal fees, resulting in a lawsuit filed in September 2023.
In July 2023, Giuliani faced sanctions for failing to provide evidence in the defamation case brought by Georgia election workers, resulting in an order to cover their legal expenses.
On August 1, 2023, news reports widely identified Giuliani as "Co-Conspirator 1" in the indictment against Donald Trump for efforts to overturn the 2020 election.
On August 14, 2023, Giuliani was indicted by a grand jury in Atlanta, Georgia, for conspiring to change the outcome of the 2020 election.
As of August 2023, Dominion Voting Systems' lawsuits against Rudy Giuliani and Sidney Powell concerning election-related claims remain active.
Giuliani was indicted in August 2023 as part of the prosecution concerning alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia.
Giuliani turned himself in at the Fulton County Sheriff's Office on August 23, 2023, following his indictment in Georgia.
In September 2023, Hunter Biden filed a civil lawsuit against Rudy Giuliani, his companies, and attorney Robert Costello, alleging they had invaded his privacy by hacking and manipulating data from his personal devices.
In September 2023, the law firm Davidoff Hutcher & Citron filed a lawsuit against Giuliani for over $1.3 million in unpaid legal fees from November 2019 to July 2023. Giuliani disputed the claim.
In October 2023, Rudy Giuliani filed a defamation lawsuit against President Joe Biden for calling him a "Russian pawn" during a 2020 presidential debate, but the lawsuit was dismissed in March 2024.
On December 5, 2023, Giuliani did not attend a federal court pretrial hearing in the defamation case, leading to criticism from the judge. His lawyer attributed the absence to a misunderstanding.
A federal jury ruled against Giuliani on December 15, 2023, requiring him to pay $148 million in damages to Freeman and Moss for defamation. Giuliani expressed his intention to appeal.
In 2023, Cassidy Hutchinson, in her memoir 'Enough', accused Rudy Giuliani of groping her backstage during Donald Trump's speech on January 6, 2021.
Freeman and Moss filed a court document in January 2024 accusing Giuliani of misusing the bankruptcy system to avoid paying the damages awarded in their defamation lawsuit.
On February 7, 2024, Giuliani appeared in court for a discussion regarding his bankruptcy case. He stated that the Trump campaign and the RNC owed him approximately $2 million, primarily in unpaid legal fees. He clarified that he didn't intend to hold Donald Trump personally accountable for this debt.
In March 2024, Giuliani's defamation lawsuit against President Joe Biden, filed in October 2023, was dismissed.
Giuliani faced an indictment in April 2024 related to the prosecution of alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election in Arizona.
In April 2024, Giuliani was among 18 people indicted for prosecution related to the 2020 election in Arizona.