New York Attorney General Letitia James on Friday asked to dismiss a federal fraud charge that she called vindictive and politically motivated, saying the case stems from Trump’s “genuine hostility.”
To show that the case was driven by personal animosity, the motion includes a litany of comments made by President Donald Trump.
“This lawsuit and the President’s outspoken criticism of AG James set in motion six years of targeted attacks. President Trump and his allies have used every offensive term in their vocabulary to taunt AG James and demand criminal sanctions in retaliation for exercising her rights and fulfilling her legal obligations to fulfill her duties as New York State’s attorney,” said attorney James, who withdrew the case from the AP.
James’ lawyers also argued that the Justice Department ignored apparent irregularities in the mortgage records of many other public officials.
The filing also cited expletives from the president that described James as “crooked,” “scum,” “a monster” and a “criminal.”
According to NewsNation, at a rally for then New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, James said she was standing on a sold rock and I will not bow, I will not break, I will not bend.
What is Letitia James accused of?
James is accused of lying on mortgage papers to get favorable loan terms to buy a modest home in Norfolk, Virginia, where he has family.
Letitia James has pleaded not guilty
But last month, James pleaded not guilty, telling reporters outside the courthouse that the Trump administration was using the court system as a “revenge tool.”
Former FBI director denies wrongdoing
In October, former FBI Director James Comey also pleaded not guilty to criminal charges in what his lawyer called a vindictive prosecution by President Donald Trump.
Who all became a target of Trump?
US President Trump attacked New York State Attorney General Letitia James, former national security adviser John Bolton, Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook and the Democratic governor of Illinois and the Democratic mayor of Chicago.
