Letitia James Gets Big Update After Court Appearance On Fraud Charges

New York Attorney General Letitia James — who built her political brand on promising to “get” President Donald J. Trump — appeared in federal court Friday in Norfolk, Virginia, to be arraigned on felony charges tied to a real estate deal.

James pleaded not guilty to two federal counts alleging that she misled a financial institution to obtain favorable mortgage terms when purchasing a second home in 2020.

Appearing before U.S. District Judge Jamar Walker, James stated simply: “Not guilty, judge, to both counts.”

The charges, which include one count of bank fraud and one count of making false statements to a financial institution, each carry a potential maximum sentence of 30 years in prison. The indictment claims James misrepresented key information about her Norfolk property in order to secure a more advantageous loan.

The case unfolds against a broader backdrop of high-profile federal prosecutions involving political figures who publicly opposed President Trump — actions that have led to internal pushback within the Department of Justice, with multiple longtime prosecutors reportedly resigning or being dismissed.

James responded to the indictment by accusing the administration of political reprisal:

“This is nothing more than a continuation of the president’s desperate weaponization of our justice system,” she said.

“These charges are baseless, and the president’s own public statements make clear that his only goal is political retribution at any cost,” she added.

The indictment was brought by Acting U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan, a former White House aide appointed by President Trump last month to lead the Eastern District of Virginia. Her appointment followed the resignation of interim U.S. attorney Erik Siebert after pressure to advance cases involving James and former FBI Director James Comey.

Since Halligan took over, multiple career prosecutors have resigned or been removed — including two assistant U.S. attorneys in Norfolk who objected to moving forward with charges against James.

Halligan is joined in the case by federal prosecutor Roger Keller. Judge Walker, a Biden appointee, is presiding.

James is being represented by well-known defense attorney Abbe Lowell. The legal team has also retained Andrew Bosse, a former federal prosecutor who once led the same office now pursuing James.

The criminal case arrives less than a year after James secured a civil judgment against President Trump — a case conservatives widely denounced as politically motivated.

Meanwhile, just one day before her arraignment, James triggered outrage among federal law enforcement supporters when she called on New Yorkers to upload photos and videos of ICE agents to a new public portal.

“We’re launching a portal to review federal immigration enforcement in New York after yesterday’s ICE raid on Canal Street,” James posted on X.

“New Yorkers who were present should submit videos or photos, and we will review and investigate any violations of the law,” she added.

The ICE operation in question resulted in the arrest of nine criminal illegal aliens — all of whom were taken into custody without incident.

James is expected to move to dismiss the charges on grounds of political retaliation, mirroring the defense strategy adopted by Comey’s attorneys earlier this week.

But for the first time in her career, the prosecutor who made a name targeting others now finds herself on the other side of the courtroom — facing the same justice system she once wielded.