New York Attorney General Letitia James pleaded not guilty on Friday (October 24) to charges of bank fraud and making false statements to a financial institution. The arraignment took place in a federal court in Norfolk, Virginia, where James entered her plea before U.S. District Judge Jamar Walker. The charges stem from allegations that James misled a bank about the intended use of a property in Norfolk, claiming it would be a secondary residence instead of an investment property, which allegedly saved her $18,933 over the life of the loan.

The charges against James have drawn significant attention due to her long-standing legal battles with President Donald Trump. James previously won a civil suit against Trump for inflating property values, leading to speculation that the charges against her are politically motivated. James described the charges as "baseless" and part of Trump's "desperate weaponization" of the justice system.

Interim U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan, a former personal attorney for Trump, presented the evidence to the grand jury that indicted James. Halligan's appointment and actions have been controversial, with critics arguing that the charges lack sufficient evidence. James plans to file a motion to dismiss the case, challenging Halligan's appointment and the legitimacy of the charges.

The prosecution of James is part of a broader pattern of legal actions against Trump's perceived political adversaries, including former FBI Director James Comey and former National Security Advisor John Bolton. James' defense team argues that the case represents a serious attack on the rule of law, driven by Trump's desire for revenge.

Lucy Chapman