Leading New York Democrats have rallied behind state Attorney General Letitia James, a day after she was indicted on mortgage fraud charges by a federal prosecutor appointed by Donald Trump last month. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer accused the president of turning the Department of Justice into 'personal attack dogs against political enemies', calling the charges 'outrageous'.
Governor Kathy Hochul defended James on X, stating: 'What we’re seeing today is nothing less than the weaponization of the Justice Department to punish those who hold the powerful accountable.' Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani said in a statement: 'No one should be surprised that Donald Trump is employing fascist tactics – prosecuting his opponents, weaponizing the federal government, and attacking the very fabric of our democracy.'
James's indictment came two days after former FBI director James Comey pleaded not guilty to charges of making a false statement and obstruction of a congressional proceeding. Jessica Roth, a former federal prosecutor, said it was 'extremely distressing' to see prosecutions brought against the president's perceived political enemies, noting that the crimes are difficult to prove as they require proof of criminal intent.
The charges against James – for bank fraud and making false statements – mirror a mortgage fraud case against the Trump Organization that she led in 2022. Prosecutors allege James rented out a property she bought in Virginia, saving $18,933 by claiming it as her own home. James said in a video statement: 'This is nothing more than a continuation of the president’s desperate weaponization of our justice system.'
ABC News reported that some Department of Justice officials were caught off-guard by the indictment. However, a department spokesperson said the department 'is united as one team'. The prosecutor Lindsey Halligan stated: 'No one is above the law.' James's attorney Abbe Lowell said his client 'flatly and forcefully' denies the charges.
