A federal grand jury in Washington D.C. has once again thwarted efforts by prosecutors to bring criminal charges against New York Attorney-General Letitia James. This marks the Justice Department's second failed attempt to prosecute the elected Democrat and prominent critic of former US President Donald Trump.
Second Grand Jury Rejection for NY AG James
The latest rejection, which occurred on December 4, follows an earlier dismissal of charges in November. In that instance, US District Judge Cameron McGowan Currie ruled that the prosecutor who secured the initial indictment, Lindsey Halligan, had been unlawfully appointed. This legal setback is another in a series for the Justice Department, particularly in cases involving individuals who have criticized Mr. Trump or spearheaded investigations into his activities. Despite this, sources indicate that prosecutors intend to pursue a third indictment. A Justice Department spokesperson has refrained from commenting on the matter.
It is generally uncommon for grand juries to reject proposed indictments, as prosecutors typically present only their evidence and are only required to demonstrate probable cause, a significantly lower threshold than what's needed for a trial conviction. However, under Mr. Trump's second term, several indictments have been rejected, with Ms. James's case being the most high-profile to date.
Broader Context: Other Trump Critics Also Faced Charges
Ms. James is among three prominent Trump critics who have faced federal criminal charges in recent months. The others include former FBI Director James Comey and John Bolton, previously Mr. Trump's national security adviser. Similar to Ms. James's situation, Judge Currie also dismissed the case against Mr. Comey, citing Ms. Halligan's impermissible appointment as interim US attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. Meanwhile, Mr. Bolton has entered a not-guilty plea to federal charges filed in Maryland.
Allegations Against AG James
The initial charges against Ms. James involved bank fraud and misleading a financial institution. She was accused of falsifying mortgage documents to secure more favorable loan terms for a home she owns in Norfolk, Virginia, to which she had initially pleaded not guilty.
Trump's Ongoing Feud with Letitia James
The legal pursuits against Ms. James unfold against a backdrop of ongoing tension with Donald Trump. Mr. Trump has relentlessly attacked Ms. James over a civil fraud case she initiated against him and his family business. That case resulted in a more than US$450 million penalty in 2024 after a judge determined Mr. Trump had fraudulently inflated his net worth to deceive lenders. Campaigning on a platform that included retribution, Mr. Trump has consistently called for Ms. James's prosecution, asserting that the civil case was politically motivated to harm him.
While a New York state appeals court in August overturned the financial penalty, which had ballooned to over half a billion dollars with interest, it upheld the finding that Mr. Trump was liable for fraud. Both Mr. Trump and Ms. James's office are currently appealing to New York's highest court.
