In a move stirring political and legal circles, the US Justice Department has reportedly launched an investigation into New York Attorney General Letitia James — the same official who led a high-profile civil fraud case against former President Donald Trump.
According to sources familiar with the matter, prosecutors have convened a grand jury and issued subpoenas to James’ office, seeking documents related to her lawsuit against Trump as well as a separate case involving the National Rifle Association (NRA). The probe comes as part of what appears to be a broader effort by the Justice Department to scrutinize figures who have publicly challenged Trump or pursued legal action against him.
The investigation is being overseen by Ed Martin, a controversial appointment whose previous nomination as the top federal prosecutor in Washington, DC, faced Republican opposition. Martin is tasked with examining allegations of mortgage fraud and reviewing claims of so-called “weaponisation” of the justice system against Trump and his allies.
Both James and Democratic Senator Adam Schiff — another long-time Trump critic — have been accused of making false statements on real estate documents. They have firmly denied any wrongdoing, calling the allegations politically motivated. James’ attorney, Abbe Lowell, condemned the investigation, describing it as “the most blatant and desperate example” of political retaliation. Schiff’s lawyer, Preet Bharara, called the accusations “transparently false” and slammed Martin’s appointment as “brazenly partisan.”
Letitia James is no stranger to political and legal battles. In 2022, she filed a civil fraud case that resulted in a staggering $355 million judgment against Trump, after a judge ruled that he had inflated his net worth to deceive lenders. Trump is currently appealing the decision, insisting it was brought for political reasons. The case against the NRA, meanwhile, ended with a jury finding its leadership guilty of years of financial mismanagement — a verdict NRA lawyers say was politically motivated.
While legal appeals are common, it is highly unusual for prosecutors to face criminal investigation over cases that have already been upheld in court. Nonetheless, the Justice Department is examining whether James’ cases violated Trump’s or others’ civil rights.
The stakes are high. To Trump’s critics, this investigation looks like an unprecedented politicization of justice. To his supporters, it may be a long-overdue reckoning against officials they see as biased. Either way, the Justice Department’s move signals an escalation in America’s deepening political and legal divide.
