‘Political warfare’: Internet disagrees as New York AG Letitia James lauds $355M ruling against Trump

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: New York Attorney General Letitia James showered praise on Judge Arthur Engoron's ruling in the civil fraud trial against former President Donald Trump, reported The Hill.

Engoron, on Friday, February 16, ordered Trump to pay a hefty sum of $355 million for inflating his property prices in New York for decades to secure favorable loans from banks. Besides the penalty, the ex-president also faces a three-year ban from serving as an officer or director of any New York corporation.

His sons and co-defendants, Donald Trump Jr and Eric Trump, should individually pay over $4 million, while the Trump Organization's former CFO, Allen Weisselberg, faces a $1 million fine.

"Today, justice has been served. Today we proved that no one is above the law. No matter how rich, powerful or politically connected you are," NY AG James told during a press conference following the bombshell ruling.

However, after a months-long trial, the decision fell short of James' recommendation of a $370 million fine and Trump's life-long ban from New York's real estate industry.

Letitia James states judgment holds Trump 'accountable'

James, who sued the billionaire ex-president in 2022, lashed out against him while addressing the media for not complying with the rules and laws.

"The scale and the scope of Donald Trump's fraud is staggering… and so too is his ego. And his belief that the rules do not apply to him," the Attorney General said. "Today, we are holding Donald Trump accountable."

"We are holding him accountable for lying, cheating, and a lack of contrition. For flouting the rules that all of us must play by," James continued, emphasizing, "There cannot be different rules for different people in this country, and former presidents are no exception."

However, Trump's attorney, Chris Kise, retorted Engoron's ruling, labeling it an "unfair process" and a "tyrannical abuse of power," and declared their decision to appeal the verdict.

Trump angrily criticized the judge and Democratic Attorney General on Truth Social, alleging "ELECTION INTERFERENCE" and labeled them "crooked" and "corrupt."

The civil fraud ruling comes less than a month after a Manhattan court ordered Trump to pay $83.3 million in defamation damages to longtime advice columnist E Jean Carroll.

Furthermore, this ruling sets the stage for the imminent criminal trial in the hush-money case, slated for March as he closes in on the Republican nomination to likely face President Joe Biden for a rematch in the 2024 presidential election.

Internet slams Letitia James' remarks

Social media users, however, did not mirror the New York AG's happiness and satisfaction over the judgment. Instead, they claimed the ruling was a "political corruption" and "injustice".

One user remarked, "Political warfare, that’s all. The left will not win."

Another user said, "That wasn’t justice that was a travesty."

A third user opined, "No, justice wasn’t served. Corruption was served today."

"Complete sham. US judicial system is toast!" read a fourth response.

Another user added, "InJustice served."

One user wrote, "She should be ashamed of herself. Another witch hunt against someone that she doesn't like. Scary prospect that this is occurring in America."

"This is totally laughable! Political corruption at its finest," another remark read.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.