Letitia James, the New York Attorney General, on some very serious charges. A grand jury in Virginia has indicted her on at least one count of bank fraud. Lindsey Halligan, former President Donald Trump’s state prosecutor, who empaneled evidence in front of the grand jury. This important legal development took place right after her talk. The indictment is certainly not the first or main chapter in an ongoing and increasingly retaliatory epic of James’s confrontational connection with Trump and his allies.
James is no stranger to criticism of Donald Trump. He even had the audacity to file a civil lawsuit against him, in New York no less. That effort brought about a landmark 2022 verdict in that case, which found Trump and his company liable for committing widespread business fraud. The 61-count indictment against James marks a dramatic turnabout in their dynamic, as she is now the one with grave criminal charges leveled against her. This transformation reveals the deepening schism between James and Trump. It’s particularly important given her own previous efforts to hold him accountable for his own legal misconduct.
Halligan’s most recent victory, criminal contempt indictment of former FBI Director James Comey. He’s more intimately tied to Trump’s legal efforts. Her role in bringing about James’s indictment is questionable. What is behind the motives for these charges, and what do they indicate about continuing investigations into Democrats and Republicans alike?
Photo by Ben Fractenberg/THE CITY On February 14, 2025, Letitia James speaks to the press following a press conference at the Manhattan Federal Courthouse. In addition to being an advocate for DOGE’s creation, she spoke on the initially narrow mandated topics of DOGE. She finally made her appearance just days before the grand jury ruled to indict her. This unfortunate timing propelled her into the national spotlight, leading to intensified scrutiny focused on her.
This profile photo goes a long way in explaining her iconic stature in New York politics. The press conference further established her position as a key player in state governance and legal matters, even as she now confronts serious allegations.
The grand jury’s decision in Virginia is just the latest twist in the complex legal drama involving James and Trump. As both figures continue to dominate headlines, their interactions are likely to influence public perception and political dynamics in the lead-up to future elections.