In Only 4 Words, This Long-Time Dem Operative Dressed Down Letitia James' Anti-Trump Antics
Even a veteran Democrat is calling foul on New York Attorney General Letitia James’ relentless crusade against President Donald Trump.
Julian Epstein, a longtime Democratic operative, appeared on Fox News’ The Evening Edit Friday to condemn James’ decision to appeal a ruling that overturned a staggering $454 million civil fraud judgment against Trump.
James formally notified the court Thursday that she intends to fight last month’s decision, which struck down both the fine and the underlying fraud finding. Epstein didn’t hold back.
“It’s the same reaction that I’ve had with most of Letitia’s James’ antics and her pursuit of Trump. It’s doubling down on dumb,” he said.
Epstein pointed to the New York appeals court ruling in August, where judges — many appointed by Democrats — found that Judge Arthur Engoron’s original penalty violated the Eighth Amendment’s ban on excessive fines.
“The notion that you have half a billion-dollar fine when all of the affected parties in the case from Deutsche Bank on down said that there was no harm. This was an abusive prosecution. It was a political prosecution. The whole thing, in my view, should be thrown out. And she will not prevail,” Epstein argued.
James’ pursuit of Trump has always carried political overtones. Back in her 2018 campaign, she openly declared her goal of targeting Trump, labeling him an “illegitimate president.” She followed through in 2022, filing a civil suit accusing Trump of inflating property values to secure loans.
That led to Judge Engoron’s 2024 ruling, which not only ordered Trump to pay the astronomical $454 million plus interest, but also barred him from serving as an officer or director of any New York company for three years.
The August appellate decision striking down Engoron’s ruling was a major rebuke of James’ tactics. Epstein made clear he believes the latest appeal will fail, and that James’ relentless lawfare against the sitting President is an embarrassment to her office.