A federal grand jury in Virginia has indicted New York Attorney General Letitia James on a bank fraud charge, following public calls from President Donald Trump for legal action against her. The indictment, confirmed by multiple sources, involves allegations related to a mortgage application, where James allegedly made false statements to secure better rates. The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Jamar K. Walker, a Biden appointee.
James, a Democrat, has been a vocal critic of President Trump and previously sued him and his company for inflating property values, securing a $450 million judgment in a civil fraud case. The current charge against James comes amid accusations of political motivation, as Trump has urged his Justice Department appointees to prosecute his political adversaries.
Lindsey Halligan, a former insurance lawyer with no prosecutorial experience, presented the case to the grand jury. Halligan was appointed as acting U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia after the removal of her predecessor, Erik Siebert, who had determined there was insufficient evidence to charge James.
The indictment has sparked criticism from Democrats, who accuse the Trump administration of weaponizing the Department of Justice. New York Governor Kathy Hochul condemned the move, stating it exemplifies the use of the Justice Department to target those who hold powerful figures accountable.
The charges against James are part of a broader pattern of legal actions against Trump's political rivals, including former FBI Director James Comey, who was recently indicted on separate charges. The indictment against James is expected to face significant legal scrutiny, given the political context surrounding the case.