Trump DOJ Calls Out Letitia James
Federal prosecutors are pushing back hard against New York Attorney General Letitia James, telling a federal judge that the charges she faces are nothing more than a standard mortgage fraud case, despite James’ attempt to paint it as political payback.
James’ lawyers are trying to get the case dismissed outright. But prosecutors insist the indictment is based on clear evidence, not politics, not personalities, and not the public battles she has waged against President Donald Trump.
According to reporting from ABC News, prosecutors stressed that the case rests on documents, financial statements, loan records, and witness interviews — the same evidence used in mortgage fraud prosecutions across America every year.
Prosecutors Reject James’ Claim of “Political Motives”
James has argued the case was brought to punish her for targeting Trump. But prosecutors firmly denied that claim.
They told the court:
- U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan made the decision to indict James independently.
- Political disagreements between elected officials do not invalidate a lawful indictment.
- Federal courts cannot allow defendants to walk away from charges simply because they have “public clashes” with others in government.
Prosecutors acknowledged Trump’s evolving public comments but said those remarks were irrelevant to the grand jury’s review of the actual evidence.
They also moved to separate the case from Ed Martin — the administration’s special attorney for mortgage issues — who appeared in a newspaper photo outside James’ home months before the indictment. Prosecutors made clear:
- Martin was not the U.S. attorney
- He did not sign the indictment
- And he had zero involvement in deciding the charges
What Letitia James Is Accused Of
James pleaded not guilty to:
- Bank fraud
- Making false statements to a financial institution
Prosecutors say she misrepresented a Norfolk, Virginia home as a “second residence” to secure a lower mortgage rate, when they allege it was actually an investment property.
James says she purchased the house in 2020 for her great-niece and allowed her to live there rent-free.
But prosecutors included what they call a key 2024 text message from James herself, which they argue shows she knew her actions could raise legal questions:
“I do not want to take deduction. It looks suspicious and I need to do everything according to the tax code.”
Prosecutors: “This Is Not Political — It’s a Standard Fraud Case”
In their filing, prosecutors emphasized once again:
- The case is not unique
- The case is not political
- And the case follows the same mortgage fraud patterns that federal courts see regularly
Everything, they said, is built on routine financial records and documentation — not political statements, not public disagreements, and not Trump’s commentary.
