NY Attorney General Pleads Not Guilty, Accuses Trump of Political Revenge
New York Attorney General Letitia James has pleaded not guilty to federal charges of bank fraud and making false statements to a financial institution, describing the case as a politically motivated effort by President Donald Trump to exact “revenge.”
James entered her plea on Friday before a federal court in Norfolk, Virginia.
Prosecutors allege that the attorney general made false claims about the use of a Virginia property she purchased in 2020, stating it would serve as a “second residence” to secure a favorable mortgage rate, while allegedly using it as an investment property instead.
After the hearing, James maintained her innocence and said the indictment represented a misuse of the justice system.
“This case is not about me,” she told reporters outside the courthouse. “It’s about how our justice system can be weaponized to punish those who dare to stand up for accountability. This is revenge, pure and simple.”
The charges come nearly a year after James led a high-profile civil case that resulted in a multimillion-dollar judgment against Trump’s business empire for inflating asset values a case that significantly damaged the former president’s financial standing.
Political observers note that the timing and nature of the charges have sparked concerns about selective prosecution. Some legal analysts say the case raises questions about whether federal law enforcement is being used as a political tool, especially given James’s history of investigating Trump and his businesses.
James’s legal team is expected to challenge the indictment on procedural grounds, arguing that it was filed under questionable circumstances and may reflect political retaliation.
The court scheduled her next hearing for December 5, 2025, while the trial is set to begin on January 26, 2026.
Letitia James, who became New York’s first Black woman attorney general in 2019, has built a national profile as a progressive prosecutor unafraid to confront powerful figures.
Her office’s civil suit against Trump and the Trump Organization won her widespread attention and fierce criticism from Trump and his allies, who have since accused her of “abusing her office for political gain.”
In a brief statement, James reaffirmed her commitment to public service. “I will continue to serve the people of New York with integrity and resolve,” she said. “No amount of intimidation will change that.”
The outcome of the case could have far-reaching political implications as the 2026 midterm elections approach, further testing the boundaries between law enforcement and politics in an already polarized American landscape.
