DOJ Investigates Letitia James in Trump Civil Case

The Department of Justice has initiated a grand jury investigation into New York Attorney General Letitia James, marking a significant development in the ongoing legal battles involving President Donald Trump. This investigation, based in Albany, New York, is centered on potential deprivation of rights allegations, according to sources familiar with the matter. The inquiry is still in its early stages, but it has been confirmed that James’s office received subpoenas for documents this week, including those related to her civil fraud lawsuit against Trump.

Background on Letitia James and Trump’s Legal Battles

Letitia James, a Democrat elected as New York’s Attorney General in 2018, has been a prominent figure in legal actions against Trump. In 2022, she successfully brought civil charges against him for business fraud, securing a $454 million judgment against Trump and some of his company’s executives. A New York judge ruled that Trump and his business partners had significantly overstated his wealth to obtain favorable loans and financial benefits. James emphasized that financial fraud is not a “victimless crime,” drawing parallels to how average citizens would be treated under similar circumstances.

James’s Broader Legal Challenges Against Trump

Beyond the civil fraud case, James has been instrumental in challenging the executive actions of Trump’s administration. She has joined other Democratic attorneys general in lawsuits opposing spending freezes on federally funded social programs, mass firings of federal employees, and restrictions on transgender care for minors. These actions have positioned her as a key adversary to Trump’s policies.

Escalating Tensions Between Trump and James

The grand jury investigation comes amid escalating tensions between Trump and James. In April, the Trump Federal Housing Finance Agency requested an investigation into James over mortgage fraud allegations, which she denied. Meanwhile, Trump has publicly criticized James on social media, calling her a “wacky crook” and demanding her resignation.