Jonathan Turley calls out irony in New York AG Letitia James’ indictment
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New York Attorney General Letitia James faces federal charges of bank fraud and making false statements to a financial institution.
George Washington University law professor and Fox News contributor Jonathan Turley emphasized the irony of the accusations, noting that they come after James’ years-long investigation into President Donald Trump on similar grounds.
“What’s really ironic is that he’s seeking half a billion dollars in damages from Trump in a case where no one lost any money. In fact, the bank made money,” Turley told “America Reports” on Friday.
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“In this case, the government alleges that he made serious money, thousands of dollars by misrepresenting the condition of this property.”
New York Attorney General Letitia James speaks during a press conference on the Department of Government Efficiency at the Manhattan Federal Courthouse in New York City on February 14, 2025. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
James faces one count of bank fraud and one count of making a false statement to a financial institution. According to the indictment, he falsely claimed a home in Virginia as his second residence to secure favorable loan terms when he was actually renting it.
Trump has previously called for the Justice Department to take action against James, and Turley said that could block the case.
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Turley suggested that James could argue going forward that he was the target of “vindictive prosecution” and “selective prosecution.” Trump’s social media posts urging the Justice Department to take action will likely be central evidence in their defense, he said.
Turley also stated that he believes the odds will favor James. He said his legal team will likely challenge the appointment of the U.S. attorney who signed the charges.
“James will probably say that the acting U.S. attorney who signed these charges was not properly appointed and therefore should not have served in that role,” Turley said.
“If that’s the case, then the indictment will be dropped.”
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James and his supporters claimed the accusations were politically motivated.
“He’s forcing federal law enforcement to do his bidding because I’m doing my job as attorney general of the State of New York,” James said in a video posted online.
New York Attorney General Letitia James and mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani attend a campaign rally at Lou Gehrig Plaza in the Bronx, where Mamdani received support from Bronx elected officials on September 2, 2025. (Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images)
New York City Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani called the prosecution “an attack on our city” and a “blatant miscarriage of justice.”
Turley questioned why similar outrage was not expressed during James’ trial against Trump.
“I don’t remember Mamdani blaming James when she ran for office with the promise that she would blame Donald Trump for something and not even specify what that might be,” he said.
“None of these people challenged any of these laws.”
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James’ campaign for New York Attorney General in 2018 included a promise to follow Trump.
