Zohran Mamdani, Democratic nominee for New York City mayor, reacted on Thursday after New York Attorney General Letitia James was indicted on charges of bank fraud and making false statements to a financial institution.
Why It Matters
The federal indictment of James has intensified an ongoing national debate over the alleged politicization of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).
James has been a high-profile adversary of President Donald Trump, most notably for securing a civil fraud judgment against him in 2023. The indictment, coming from a Trump-appointed prosecutor, raises concerns among civil rights groups, legal experts and political allies regarding the use of prosecutorial power for political retribution and the erosion of democratic norms that guard the independence of the judiciary.
Trump and Republicans alike have also questioned the DOJ under former President Joe Biden, accusing him of “weaponizing” the department to initiate legal attacks against Trump.
What To Know
On Thursday, Lindsey Halligan, interim U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia and recent Trump appointee, secured a federal grand jury indictment against James.
The case centers around a 2020 mortgage application for a home in Norfolk, Virginia, co-purchased with James’ niece. Prosecutors allege that James listed the property as a secondary residence while using it as a rental, thereby securing more favorable loan terms. The indictment claims James’ actions constituted intentional misrepresentation.
Reacting to the legal news on X, Mamdani posted: “New Yorkers know Attorney General James for who she is: a champion for justice who fights relentlessly for the people. Donald Trump knows her only as an obstacle to his corruption. No one should be surprised that Donald Trump is employing fascist tactics—prosecuting his opponents, weaponizing the federal government, and attacking the very fabric of our democracy.”
Mamdani continued: “And Trump should not be surprised when millions of Americans stand up to his authoritarianism and his greed. If Trump wants to leverage baseless charges to visit political retribution on New York’s Attorney General, he’ll have to go through New Yorkers first. Tish James has had our back, time and again. We have hers.”
James also responded to the indictment, calling the charges “baseless” and ripping the president’s “own public statements” for making it “clear that his only goal is political retribution at any cost.”
According to the Associated Press, James’ attorney Abbe Lowell said the attorney general “flatly and forcefully denies these charges.”
Trump has not publicly commented on the indictment as of 10 p.m. Thursday ET.
What People Are Saying
Democratic New York Governor Kathy Hochul, on X Thursday: “New Yorkers know @NewYorkStateAG James for her integrity, her independence, and her relentless fight for justice. What we’re seeing today is nothing less than the weaponization of the Justice Department to punish those who hold the powerful accountable.”
Scott Jennings, former adviser to President George W. Bush, on X Thursday: “It’s incredible to see Democrats whining about ‘selective prosecution’ in the case of Letitia James. Her entire career is built on the selective prosecution of one man! Give me a break.”
Byron Donalds, Republican congressman and candidate for Florida governor, on X Thursday: “Back in 2024, Letitia James posted, ‘No one is above the law. Even when you think the rules don’t apply to you.’ Here’s the reality: 1–No one is above the law 2–You cannot commit mortgage fraud 3–She thought the rules didn’t apply to her 4–She got indicted Law & order is back.”
Democratic Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona, on X Thursday: “Letitia James did her job, and in return the President demanded his Attorney General prosecute her. Weeks later, Letitia is indicted by the DOJ. This is not how our justice system is supposed to work. This is vengeance, not justice.”
What Happens Next
The indictment initiates a potentially lengthy federal legal process for James. Her arraignment is scheduled for October 24 in Virginia.
If convicted of bank fraud or making false statements, the DOJ notes, penalties could include up to 30 years in prison and $1 million in fines for each count.
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