Democrats and Republicans clash over NY AG Letitia James’ federal indictment

Lawmakers reacted sharply Thursday to New York Lawyer Common Letitia James’ indictment on financial institution fraud fees, with Democrats calling it a politically motivated retaliation by President Donald Trump.

A federal grand jury in Virginia charged James with financial institution fraud and making false statements to a monetary establishment. The indictment focuses on James’ buy of a house in Norfolk. Prosecutors allege she falsely claimed it as a second house to acquire higher mortgage phrases earlier than renting it to tenants. James has denied wrongdoing, describing the allegations as “political retaliation.”

“These allegations are baseless and the president’s public statements clarify that his sole goal is political retaliation at any value,” James stated in a press release.

James, a longtime Trump adversary, beforehand sued the president’s enterprise empire for civil fraud and received a virtually $500 million verdict.

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New York Lawyer Common Letitia James is accused of creating false or deceptive statements about property info to safe higher mortgage phrases. (Spencer Platt/Getty Photos)

Lindsey Halligan, the U.S. Lawyer for the Japanese District of Virginia, stated James faces as much as 30 years in jail on every cost, with a advantageous of as much as $1 million on every cost and forfeiture if convicted.

“Nobody is above the regulation. The costs alleged on this case symbolize intentional, felony acts and large violations of the general public belief,” Halligan stated. “The details and regulation on this case are clear, and we’ll proceed to comply with them to make sure justice is served.”

In a press release, U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., stated James has weaponized her workplace to go after Trump and his allies.

“Her hypocrisy runs deep as she campaigned on the mantra that ‘nobody is above the regulation,’ however now she faces accusations of committing precisely the type of monetary misrepresentation she baselessly pursued towards President Trump,” Stefanik stated.

“I’ve led Congressional efforts lately to reveal James’s abuses by means of ethics complaints, Bar complaints, public calls for for investigations and oversight that uncovered her corruption.”

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President Donald Trump and New York Lawyer Common Letitia James (ABC Information/Screenshot/Brendan McDermid-Pool/Getty Photos)

Rep. Majority Taylor Greene, R-Ga., famous James’ earlier assertion that “nobody is above the regulation.”

“Right now, Leti[t]ia James was charged with financial institution fraud associated to a mortgage mortgage,” she wrote on X.

Democrats sided together with her and accused Trump of abusing his energy.

“The politically motivated indictment towards Lawyer Common Letitia James is an abuse of energy – a weaponization of the federal government – ​​in its most outrageous and egregious type,” stated Rep. Ritchie Torres, DN.Y. “As an alternative of coping with the grocery and utility payments which are crushing American households, Donald Trump stays pathologically preoccupied together with his listing of non-public enemies.”

Rep. Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., referred to as the fees a “blatant abuse of energy,” whereas New York Gov. Kathy Hochul stated the case amounted to “nothing lower than the weaponization of the Division of Justice.”

Democratic New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani stated President Trump was “attacking the material of our democracy” after Letitia James was indicted. (Deirdre Heavey/Fox Information Digital)

New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani praised James as “a champion for justice” and stated Trump’s actions demonstrated “fascist ways — persecuting his opponents, arming the federal authorities and attacking the material of our democracy.”

Senate Majority Chief Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., stated Trump was utilizing the Justice Division as his “private assault canine.”

“That is what tyranny seems to be like,” Schumer stated. “President Trump is focusing on Lawyer Common Tish James for the ‘crime’ of prosecuting him for fraud – and successful. This isn’t justice. It is revenge.’

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Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, referred to as the indictment “political weaponization of our courts, plain and easy — and proof that while you stand as much as corruption, they arrive after you.”

James’ first courtroom look is scheduled for October 24 in Norfolk, Virginia.