Zohran Mamdani and NYC Dems support Letitia James, slam indictment: ‘Blatant miscarriage of justice’

WASHINGTON, DC: Mayoral front-runner and Queens socialist Zohran Mamdani came out swinging in defense of New York Attorney General Letitia James after a federal grand jury indicted her on charges of bank fraud and making false statements to a financial institution. 

Speaking publicly, Mamdani accused Donald Trump of orchestrating the indictment as an act of political vengeance. James echoed that sentiment in a fiery statement, calling the October 8 indictment a blatant case of "political retribution."

Zohran Mamdani defends Letita James

At a news conference in Manhattan on Friday, October 10, Zohran Mamdani vigorously defended Attorney General Letitia James, accusing the Trump administration of targeting her with politically motivated charges.

“This is a blatant miscarriage of justice. This is a shameless act of political retribution,” Mamdani said, referring to the federal indictment against James, which includes charges of bank fraud and making false statements to a financial institution.

He added, “And instead of prosecuting Tish James for doing her job, Donald Trump should be doing his.” The mayoral candidate shared in a statement, "No one should be surprised that Donald Trump is employing fascist tactics – prosecuting his opponents, weaponizing the federal government, and attacking the very fabric of our democracy. And Trump should not be surprised when millions of Americans stand up to his authoritarianism and his greed.”

James previously secured a civil judgment against Trump and the Trump Organization for inflating property values, resulting in a $355 million penalty, later overturned on appeal, sparking a fierce backlash from the president.

NYC Democrats rally behind Letitia James after indictment

Top New York Democrats swiftly rallied in support of state Attorney General Letitia James just one day after her indictment.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer blasted the charges, accusing the president of using the Department of Justice as “personal attack dogs against […] political enemies” and calling the indictment “outrageous.”

Governor Kathy Hochul also came to James’s defense, posting on X: “What we’re seeing today is nothing less than the weaponization of the Justice Department to punish those who hold the powerful accountable.”

Former federal prosecutor Jessica Roth, who served in the Southern District of New York, expressed deep concern over the case. She said it was “extremely distressing” to see the Justice Department target individuals perceived as political adversaries. Roth emphasized that prosecutors typically follow a strict policy, "not to pursue an indictment unless prosecutors were convinced that they would be able to prove a case beyond a reasonable doubt at trial."

What did prosecutors report about Letitia James’ misrepresentation?

Federal prosecutors allege that Letitia James misrepresented her 2020 Virginia home purchase by claiming she would use the property as her primary residence, thereby securing a lower mortgage rate of 3%. In reality, they say, she rented the home out to others, making her ineligible for that rate and instead liable for a 3.815% mortgage. According to the indictment, the misrepresentation allowed her to save $18,933.

Until now, it was not publicly known that investigators had been examining James’s 2020 property deal. Prosecutors were previously thought to be focused on a 2023 home in Norfolk that James had helped her niece purchase.

Responding to the charges in a recorded video on Thursday, October 9 James accused the president of abusing his power for political gain. “This is nothing more than a continuation of the president’s desperate weaponization of our justice system. He is forcing federal law enforcement agencies to do his bidding, all because I did my job as the New York state attorney general."

Her attorney, Abbe Lowell, strongly rejected the allegations, stating that James “flatly and forcefully denies these charges.” James is scheduled to appear in a Virginia court on October 24.