Justice Dept Reportedly Probing Tish James for Violating Trump’s Civil Rights

A federal investigation has been launched into Democratic New York Attorney General Letitia James for potentially violating President Donald Trump’s civil rights through her lawsuit against him, according to multiple reports.

The acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of New York issued subpoenas related to James’ civil fraud case against Trump and his company, as well as her case against the National Rifle Association, the New York Times reported on Friday.

The DOJ, the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of New York, Lowell and New York Attorney General’s Office did not respond to requests for comment.

James secured a $454 million civil fraud judgement against Trump in February 2024, which is still being appealed. She sued him in 2022 for allegedly overvaluing his assets to secure more favorable loans.

In April, the Federal Housing Agency (FHFA) referred James to the Department of Justice (DOJ) for allegedly falsifying mortgage documents.

“Any weaponization of the justice system should disturb every American,” a spokesperson for the New York Attorney General’s office said in a statement to the New York Post. “We stand strongly behind our successful litigation against the Trump Organization and the National Rifle Association, and we will continue to stand up for New Yorkers’ rights.”

James’ attorney Abbe Lowell told the NYT an investigation into the civil fraud case is “the most blatant and desperate example of this administration carrying out the president’s political retribution campaign.”

“Weaponizing the Department of Justice to try to punish an elected official for doing her job is an attack on the rule of law and a dangerous escalation by this administration,” he told the outlet. “If prosecutors carry out this improper tactic and are genuinely interested in the truth, we are ready and waiting with facts and the law.”