Democrats and Republicans clash over NY AG Letitia James’ federal indictment
Letitia James reacts to federal criminal allegation
New York Attorney General Letitia James said bank fraud charges have been filed against President Donald Trump for his part in an effort to impose “political revenge at any cost.” (Credit: x/@NewYorkStateAG)
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Lawmakers reacted Thursday to the indictment of New York Attorney General Letitia James on bank fraud charges, with Democrats calling it a politically motivated act of revenge by President Donald Trump.
A federal grand jury in Virginia indicted James for bank fraud and making false statements to a financial institution. The indictment focuses on James’ purchase of a house in Norfolk. Prosecutors allege he falsely claimed it as a second residence to get tenants better credit terms before renting. James has denied wrongdoing, calling the accusations “political revenge.”
“These accusations are baseless, and the president’s public statements make clear that his sole purpose is political revenge at any cost,” James said in a statement. he said.
James, a long-time opponent of Trump, previously sued the president’s business empire for civil fraud and received a verdict of nearly $500 million.
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New York Attorney General Letitia James is accused of making false or misleading statements about property records to secure better loan terms. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Lindsey Halligan, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, said James could face up to 30 years in prison per count, a fine of up to $1 million on each count and forfeit the sentence if convicted.
“No one is above the law. The charges alleged in this case represent intentional, criminal acts and serious violations of the public trust,” Halligan said. he said. “The facts and law in this case are clear, and we will continue to pursue them to ensure justice is served.”
U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik (R.N.Y.) said in a statement that James has weaponized his office to go after Trump and his allies.
“His hypocrisy is profound as he campaigned with the slogan ‘No one is above the law,’ but now he faces allegations that he committed the same financial misrepresentation that he baselessly carried out against President Trump,” Stefanik said.
“I led congressional efforts to expose James’ misconduct over the last several years through ethics complaints, bar complaints, public demands for investigations, and oversight that exposed his corruption.”
TRUMP RIPS CASE JUDGE WHO DELETED $500 MILLION FINE ON APPEAL
President Donald Trump and New York Attorney General Letitia James (ABC News/Screenshot/Brendan McDermid-Pool/Getty Images)
Rep. Majorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., noted James’ past declaration that “no one is above the law.”
“Today, Leti[t]ia James has been charged with bank fraud related to a mortgage loan,” he wrote to X.
Democrats rallied to Trump’s defense, accusing him of abusing his power.
“The politically motivated indictment of Attorney General Letitia James is an abuse of power – the weaponization of government – at its ugliest and most egregious form,” said Rep. Ritchie Torres, D-Y. “Instead of dealing with the grocery and utility bills that are crushing American families, Donald Trump remains pathologically preoccupied with his list of personal enemies.”
Rep. Jerry Nadler, D-Y., called the charges a “blatant abuse of power,” while New York Governor Kathy Hochul said the case was “nothing more than a weaponization of the Department of Justice.”
New York City Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani said President Trump “attacked the fabric of our democracy” following the impeachment of Letitia James. (Deirdre Heavey/Fox News Digital)
New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani praised James as a “defender of justice” and said Trump’s actions showed “fascist tactics like prosecuting his opponents, weaponizing the federal government, and attacking the fabric of our democracy.”
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (DY) said Trump is using the Justice Department as his “personal attack dog.”
“This is what bullying looks like,” Schumer said. “President Trump is targeting Attorney General Tish James for the ‘crime’ of suing for fraud and winning. This is not justice. This is revenge.”
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Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, called the indictment “a political weaponization of our courts, plain and simple — and proof that when you stand up to corruption, they come after you.”
James’ first hearing is scheduled for October 24 in Norfolk, Virginia.
