Reaction from various quarters to the indictment of New York Attorney General Letitia James by the Trump administration’s Department of Justice has so far largely been split along party lines. Republicans have welcomed the indictment while Democrats classify it as retribution by Donald Trump and a baseless prosecution.
President Trump had publicly called for the prosecution of James along with several other prominent people after having repeatedly said during his campaign for another term as president that if elected he would launch a program of retribution. In what was supposed to be a private text message to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi but mistakenly was posted to Trump’s social media platform, Trump told Bondi to move ahead with prosecuting former FBI Director James Comey, Attorney General James, whose first name he misspelled as “Leticia,” and U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff.
James was indicted on two counts of bank fraud and making false statements to a financial institution in conjunction with a mortgage application to buy a house in Norfolk, Virginia.
Democratic Congressman George Latimer, whose New York 16th Congressional District includes parts of Westchester and the Bronx said, “Tish James has been a strong advocate and defender of the law. This cheap attempt at intimidation – joining his (Trump’s) prior efforts to bully universities, law firms and late night comedians – will fail on the merits. AG James will win yet another battle against a man who has no sense of principle and views revenge as a public policy.”
Democratic New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said that New Yorkers know James for her integrity, independence, and fighting for justice.
“What we’re seeing … is nothing less than the weaponization of the Justice Department to punish those who hold the powerful accountable,” Hochul said.
Republican Congresswoman Elise Stefanik of New York said, “From challenging her sham and false prosecutions to highlighting her office’s mishandling of internal misconduct and recent fraud allegations, my actions have been rooted in safeguarding New Yorkers from the corruption James personifies. This indictment validates those persistent efforts and reinforces my commitment to fighting for justice and against corruption.”
Democratic State Sen. Shelley Mayer said, “This indictment is nothing more than political retaliation for Attorney General James doing her job, successfully holding Donald Trump accountable in a civil case that led to a New York State judge finding him liable for fraud. The United States Constitution, courts, and system of laws must never be used to punish political foes, to intimidate, or to pursue retribution.”
New York State House Speaker Carl Heastie, also a Democrat, characterized the indictment as nothing more than political retribution by Trump for his fraud conviction that James obtained.
“The ongoing weaponization of the DOJ is a direct threat to our democracy,” Heastie said. “I urge everyone regardless of political affiliation to stand up for our country’s laws and rules, and demand an end to this cheap and vindictive prosecution.”
Republican Congressman Pat Fallon of Texas on Fox News said, “There are consequences for your actions, not just for me and you but for her too.”
The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers condemned the indictment with its President Andrew Birrell saying, “This is not blind justice; it is the targeted weaponization of the Department of Justice. The American criminal legal system must never be reduced to a tool of political vengeance. Federal charging decisions must be free from the appearance of a prosecution driven by partisan goals rather than a good-faith assessment of evidence and law. Sadly, this indictment appears driven not by law and facts, but by political appointees pushing for partisan payback.”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York said, “This indictment is nothing more than a politically motivated attack by Trump’s Justice Department aimed at intimidating a Black woman who dares to hold Trump accountable. This is what tyranny looks like. This isn’t justice. It’s revenge. And it should horrify every American who believes no one is above the law.”
Democratic New York State Sen. Sean Ryan said, “The fact that Trump had to fire or pressure multiple prosecutors before finding one willing to bring this case makes clear this isn’t about justice, it’s about revenge, and it’s a perversion of the justice system that threatens the rule of law itself.”
Common Cause New York Executive Director Susan Lerner said, “The Trump regime’s willingness to trample the rule of law continues unabated. This is yet another politically motivated prosecution against someone who has dared to stand up to Donald Trump and his minion’s lawlessness. Common Cause New York stands with Attorney General James and all those who seek to hold power to account.”
