President Donald Trump has pledged to advocate for the release of jailed Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai, whose national security trial resumed this week amid judicial skepticism over sedition charges.

A Hong Kong court heard final arguments Monday in the landmark national security trial of former pro-democracy newspaper founder Jimmy Lai, who could be sentenced to up to life in prison if convicted.

Hong Kong and Chinese authorities say Lai is being given a fair trial. Lai's lawyer Robert Pang, who began his final legal submission on Wednesday, said Lai had been defending and exercising basic rights.