- New York Attorney General Letitia James celebrated a significant legal victory as a New York judge, Arthur Engoron, ordered former President Donald Trump and the Trump Organization to pay over $350 million in damages and imposed a three-year ban on Trump holding high-level positions in any New York company.
- This ruling stemmed from a civil fraud suit filed by James’ office in September 2022, concluding a multi-year investigation into Trump’s business practices. Throughout the legal proceedings, Letitia James has been a vocal critic of Trump, promising during her campaign for attorney general to challenge and potentially remove him from office.
She expressed her satisfaction with the court’s decision, asserting that it demonstrated that “no one is above the law, no matter how rich, powerful, or politically connected.”
- Trump, in response, decried what he perceived as an assault on the justice system, claiming that the New York State justice system and the broader American judicial system were under attack by biased judges and prosecutors. He accused Letitia James of being obsessed with pursuing legal action against him for years, characterizing the judgment as illegal and un-American.
- The contentious relationship between James and Trump dates back to her 2018 campaign, where she positioned herself as a candidate unafraid to challenge what she deemed an “illegitimate president.” During her campaign, James had stated her belief that Trump was incompetent, ill-equipped for the presidency, and should be charged with obstructing justice.
- She also expressed her intention to investigate Trump’s family businesses, alleging potential criminal offenses, including the laundering of foreign money through real estate deals. As the legal battle unfolded, Trump consistently criticized both James and Judge Engoron, portraying their actions as part of a partisan e to undermine him.
- Despite the legal setback, Trump remains steadfast, asserting that he helped New York City during challenging times and criticizing the current state of affairs in the city. The clash between Trump and Letitia James continues to be a focal point in the broader political landscape, with implications for Trump’s potential return to presidential politics and the ongoing scrutiny of his business practices.
