Democratic AGs decry 'political retaliation' against James

Democratic AGs decry ‘political retaliation’ against James

A group of Democratic attorneys general has circled the wagons around New York Attorney General Letitia James, accusing the U.S. Department of Justice of waging a campaign of “political retribution” against her over criticism of the Trump administration.

In an open letter, the 21 Democrats, including Connecticut Attorney General William Tong, Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell and Rhode Island’s Peter Noronha, accused Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi of “pursuing a pattern of harassment and intimidation” in retaliation for James pursuing “legitimate claims of financial fraud against President Trump and his business organization under New York state law.”

“As the attorneys general and chief legal officers of our respective states, we know that the people rely on prosecutorial authorities to wield the power of government to protect the public interest, without fear or favor,” the AGs wrote. “Deploying the power of the government in pursuit of personal vendettas, to achieve political ends, or to thwart the enforcement of state law is an abuse of that trust.”

The Justice Department’s investigation is part of a broader probe of James’ civil fraud trial against Trump and his family business on charges that he broke the law by inflating the values on his New York City properties.

That trial ended in a $454 million civil judgment against the Trump organization and several of its executives, which was overturned by a New York appeals court last week. James is expected to appeal the decision to the state’s highest court.

The AG’s took aim at the lead prosecutor in the DOJ’s investigation of James, Edward R. Martin Jr., calling him a “political operative with no practical experience” in law enforcement. They said Martin sent a crude letter to James’ personal attorney last week suggesting she should resign from office “as an act of good faith” and that he later showed up outside her home in Brooklyn, posing for press photographs.

“Mr. Martin’s antics and actions amount more to those of a showman than to those of a representative of the United States government charged with ensuring that impartiality, integrity, and fairness are the cornerstones of criminal investigation and enforcement,” they wrote. “In the face of Mr. Martin’s escalating antics and threats, the Department has only confirmed its continued support for his efforts.

James, who was first elected in 2018, has been a frequent critic of Trump and, in addition to the civil fraud trial, has filed several multistate lawsuits against the Trump administration over federal immigration policies, rollbacks in federal funding, and worker layoffs and other actions.

In addition to the DOJ probe, she is also facing potential criminal charges by federal prosecutors over allegations she engaged in mortgage fraud. In April, the Federal Housing Finance Agency sent a letter to the DOJ accusing James of committing fraud by listing a home in Virginia as her primary residence and identifying her father as her husband on federally backed mortgage loan applications to get a lower interest rate and more favorable terms.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

WATCH: Illinois In Focus Daily | Thursday Aug. 21st, 2025

WATCH: Illinois In Focus Daily | Thursday Aug. 21st, 2025

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop shares comments from...
LW-SB-AUG.2

Lincoln-Way Board Reviews $162 Million Tentative Budget, Projects Deficit Due to Bus Purchase Timing

Article Summary: The Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Board of Education reviewed a tentative $162.5 million budget for Fiscal Year 2026, which includes a 5.48% increase in operating expenses...
Illinois trucker warns foreign firms faking logs, dodging rules, risking safety

Illinois trucker warns foreign firms faking logs, dodging rules, risking safety

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – After a recent deadly crash in Florida and a crash in Illinois involving semi-trucks, an Illinois...
Illinois law mandates pharmacies to sell needles, sparking safety debate

Illinois law mandates pharmacies to sell needles, sparking safety debate

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Governor has signed House Bill 2589, which requires pharmacists to sell sterile hypodermic needles...
Illinois quick hits: Governor bans school fines; Target fires hundreds over fraud

Illinois quick hits: Governor bans school fines; Target fires hundreds over fraud

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Governor bans school fines Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed legislation that bans schools from issuing fines or citations to students for...
Industry advocates: More state regulation will drive insurance rates higher

Industry advocates: More state regulation will drive insurance rates higher

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Insurance industry leaders are advising Illinois lawmakers that state regulation of rates will lead to higher costs...
Manhattan School District 114 Logo Graphic

Manhattan School District 114 and Teachers Union Finalize New Contract

Article Summary: After months of negotiations, the Manhattan School District 114 Board of Education has unanimously approved a new collective bargaining agreement with its teachers and support staff. The approval...
MH VB

Manhattan Village Board Donates Surplus Truck to Local Animal Rescue Ranch

Article Summary: The Manhattan Village Board has officially declared a 2007 Ford F-150 pickup truck as surplus property, unanimously voting to donate the vehicle to the Triple H Ranch, a...
Meeting Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board Executive Committee for August 14, 2025

The Will County Board Executive Committee received a comprehensive update on the county's expenditure of $134 million in federal ARPA pandemic relief funds, learning that 61% of the total has...
Public education budgets balloon while enrollment, proficiency, standards drop

Public education budgets balloon while enrollment, proficiency, standards drop

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In return for soaring state spending on education, Illinois taxpayers are getting chronic absenteeism, poor academic proficiency...
Screenshot-2025-08-19-at-7.14.24-PM

Frankfort Approves Over $19 Million in Surplus Fund Transfers for Future Projects

Article Summary: The Frankfort Village Board has approved the transfer of more than $19 million in surplus operating revenues to its capital funds to finance future infrastructure projects, equipment purchases,...
frankfort-village-hall-graphic-logo.7

Frankfort Advances Plans for New Multi-Use Paths to Boost Pedestrian Safety

Article SummaryThe Frankfort Village Board has approved a $77,500 agreement with Robinson Engineering, Ltd. to design two new multi-use paths aimed at improving safety and connectivity in Main Park and...
frankfort-village-hall-graphic-logo.1

Frankfort Police Department to Purchase New Portable Radios for $31,000

Article SummaryThe Frankfort Village Board has approved the purchase of 14 new Kenwood portable radios for the police department at a cost not to exceed $31,000. The new equipment will...
Meeting Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Village of Frankfort Board for August 18, 2025

The Village of Frankfort Board leveraged a significant budget surplus at its August 18 meeting, approving the transfer of over $19 million into capital funds designated for future infrastructure, equipment,...
Plan launched to place redistricting amendment before voters in 2026

Plan launched to place redistricting amendment before voters in 2026

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Two former U.S. Cabinet members have launched a new effort to stop Illinois politicians from drawing their...