New York Attorney General Seeks Dismissal of Criminal Charges, Citing Trump’s Vendetta
New York Attorney General Letitia James is requesting that her criminal case be dismissed, arguing it stems from a years-long personal vendetta by former President Donald Trump.
Lawyers for James filed a motion today, asserting the two-count indictment related to a 2020 mortgage is both a vindictive and selective prosecution. They claim the Department of Justice was improperly used as an instrument of revenge, stating, “The Government’s conduct here has offended the very core of due process and equal protection principles in transforming the Department of Justice into the President’s personal agents of revenge.” The motion includes over 350 statements and social media posts from Trump, alongside statements from other officials, demonstrating what James’s legal team describes as sustained animosity.
The indictment alleges James falsely claimed a Norfolk, Virginia, home was a second home, securing a better interest rate; she has pleaded not guilty and called the charges “baseless.” A person familiar with the property has stated James’ grandniece resides there without paying rent. This case unfolds as James separately challenges the appointment of US Attorney Lindsey Halligan, who was selected by Trump, and is also fighting a subpoena related to a Justice Department investigation into her office’s civil rights practices – a probe she alleges is retaliatory. The legal battles are particularly significant given the ongoing scrutiny of the Justice Department’s independence.
The history between James and Trump is well-documented, beginning with her campaign pledge to investigate his businesses and culminating in a civil lawsuit alleging inflated property values. A state judge initially found Trump liable for over $350 million, a ruling partially overturned on appeal. James’ lawyers argue Trump’s repeated calls for her investigation and prosecution demonstrate an unconstitutional motivation behind the criminal charges. You can read more about the civil case here.
James’s legal team is requesting either a dismissal of the indictment with prejudice or the opportunity to present further evidence and hold a hearing. The judge is scheduled to hear oral arguments next week regarding the legality of Halligan’s appointment, alongside a similar challenge from former FBI Director James Comey.
