The Justice Department has launched two separate criminal investigations into New York Attorney General Letitia James, a Democrat known for aggressively targeting Donald Trump and other conservative causes. According to the Associated Press, a grand jury in Albany has been convened to examine whether James violated Trump’s civil rights in the course of her civil fraud lawsuit against him.
The AP reports that “subpoenas have been issued” regarding that lawsuit as well as her litigation against the National Rifle Association. Both cases have been high-profile victories for James politically, but they now form part of a federal probe into potential misconduct.
The civil rights inquiry centers on James’ successful civil fraud case against Trump, which led to a $454 million judgment. Critics have long accused James of running her office like a political attack machine. Trump himself called the lawsuit “a witch hunt” and argued that it was driven entirely by partisan hostility.
The Justice Department is also investigating allegations of mortgage fraud. The Guardian reported that federal investigators are looking into claims that James “misrepresented a Virginia home as her primary residence when it was not” in order to obtain more favorable mortgage terms. This referral reportedly originated with the Federal Housing Finance Agency earlier this year.
James has denied any wrongdoing. Her attorney, Abbe David Lowell, described the federal investigations as “weaponization of the justice system” and accused the Trump administration of using the DOJ to punish a political opponent.
To conservatives, this statement is rich with irony. For years, James has made a name for herself by weaponizing the legal system against political figures she opposes. She openly campaigned on a promise to “get Trump” and has pursued him relentlessly, even in cases where evidence was thin and charges appeared politically motivated.
The AP confirmed that both probes are being run by DOJ officials operating under Trump’s leadership. Subpoenas in the civil rights investigation are seeking documents and communications connected to James’ lawsuits against Trump and the NRA.
Trump allies see the investigation as long overdue. “This is about accountability,” one Republican strategist said. “If Letitia James used her office to go after political opponents while breaking the law herself, she needs to face the same consequences she wanted for others.”
James’ civil fraud case against Trump became a political spectacle, with her office holding frequent press conferences and leaking details to the media. Trump’s legal team argued that the lawsuit ignored due process and violated his constitutional rights.
The NRA lawsuit also raised questions about selective prosecution. While James accused the organization’s leadership of financial misconduct, critics pointed out that her office showed little interest in investigating progressive nonprofits accused of similar or worse behavior.
The mortgage fraud allegations could be particularly damaging. Misrepresenting a property’s use to secure better loan terms is a federal crime. If proven, it would undermine James’ credibility as the state’s top law enforcement officer.
The Guardian’s report noted that the mortgage in question involved a Virginia home not used as James’ primary residence. The Federal Housing Finance Agency flagged the matter, and the DOJ decided to move forward earlier this year.
For conservatives, the case is a textbook example of how Democrats have played by one set of rules for themselves and another for their opponents. Trump supporters see the investigations as a rare sign that the DOJ is finally willing to hold a high-profile Democrat to the same legal standards as everyone else.
James has dismissed the probes as political retaliation, yet her own career is built on exactly that tactic. From her early days as a New York City public advocate to her current role, she has sought headlines by taking on conservative figures and causes, often in highly publicized cases timed for maximum political impact.
The AP’s reporting makes it clear that the DOJ is treating both matters seriously. Grand jury proceedings are secret, but the issuance of subpoenas indicates that prosecutors believe there is enough evidence to warrant a deeper examination of James’ actions.
If charges are brought, the political fallout in New York would be enormous. James has positioned herself as a defender of progressive causes, and her downfall would represent a stunning reversal for the left’s legal crusader-in-chief.
To many conservatives, the investigations are a long-overdue measure of justice. They see James not as a neutral prosecutor but as a partisan operator who abused the power of her office to punish enemies and reward allies.
The outcome of these investigations could have national implications. If James is indicted, it would shatter the left’s moral high ground in its ongoing legal battles against Trump and other Republicans.
For now, the DOJ is not commenting beyond confirming the existence of the grand jury. James’ office continues to insist that her actions were lawful and appropriate, but the subpoenas tell a different story.
As one GOP lawmaker put it, “This is what happens when you turn the justice system into a political weapon. Eventually, it comes back around.”
