NEW YORK (FN) — New York Attorney General Letitia James pleaded not guilty Friday to federal charges of bank fraud and making false statements stemming from a 2020 property purchase in Norfolk, Virginia.
James and her attorneys argue the prosecution is politically motivated, following her successful civil fraud case against former President Donald Trump’s company. The indictment carries a maximum sentence of 30 years if she is convicted on both counts, and her trial is scheduled to begin Jan. 26, 2026.
Letitia James is accused of misrepresenting a Norfolk property as a secondary residence to secure favorable mortgage terms. Her legal team claims the case is part of a broader campaign to target political opponents, a charge James herself has described as retaliation.
James Comey – The former FBI director, who led the bureau’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election, faces federal charges for allegedly lying to Congress. Trump has publicly praised Comey’s indictment and suggested additional legal actions may follow against other political adversaries.
John Bolton – Former National Security Advisor John Bolton was indicted in October 2025 for allegedly unlawfully transmitting and retaining classified documents. The charges came after Bolton published a critical book about Trump’s administration. Legal analysts have questioned whether the investigation represents selective enforcement intended to punish a political critic.
Kamala Harris, Hillary Clinton, and Robert Mueller
In March 2025, Trump revoked the security clearances of the vice president, the former secretary of state, and the former special counsel. Supporters of the move described it as standard protocol, while critics viewed it as a politically motivated attack against those who investigated Trump or opposed his policies.
Adam Schiff and Fani Willis**Congressional figures Adam Schiff and Georgia prosecutor Fani Willis have faced federal scrutiny or threats of prosecution, raising concerns about the weaponization of legal authority for political purposes. Schiff reportedly was investigated for his role in Trump’s first impeachment, while Willis’s office has been threatened over her ongoing legal inquiries.
Lisa Cook – Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook has been investigated in connection with her professional and political activities. Critics say the inquiry, initiated by Trump allies, exemplifies the administration’s use of federal power to intimidate opponents.
Legal experts and civil rights advocates warn that these cases reflect a disturbing trend of selective enforcement, where prosecutorial power is potentially leveraged as a tool of political revenge. Critics argue that the repeated targeting of high-profile opponents undermines public confidence in the justice system and raises questions about the rule of law.
