Staff Reports
Letitia James, New York’s Democratic attorney general, has recently taken a swing at former President Donald Trump while doubling down on her monumental $454 million fine against him. Her comments came in the midst of a breakfast gathering at the Democratic National Convention, where she confidently declared that Trump’s legal strategy is nothing more than a tired rerun of arguments that have previously fallen flat in the courts. Apparently, in the realm of progressive politics, past failures are still viewed as compelling legal arguments.
Just hours prior to her remarks, James’s office was busy urging an appeals court to uphold the judgment that found Trump and his business associates guilty of civil fraud. A mega-multimillion-dollar fine is no small potatoes, especially when it limits Trump’s ability to operate in the great garden state of New York and places the Trump Organization under the watchful eye of a court-appointed monitor for at least three years. James suggested that there’s no merit to Trump’s appeal—his legal team is merely recycling old claims that banks were fond of the Trump Organization and found no fraud present, which would be amusing if it weren’t so serious.
New York attorney general hits Trump at DNC, says she’s ‘confident’ in $454 million fraud verdict https://t.co/dTP5rY6fmI via @dcexaminer
— 🇺🇸 The Briefing Room 🇺🇸 🇮🇱 (@Briefing__Room) August 22, 2024
In a last-ditch effort, Trump’s attorneys have come out swinging, declaring the judgment as an “unauthorized, unprecedented power-grab.” They insist that there were quite literally no victims and no losses involved in the former president’s business dealings, which has raised eyebrows not only among conservatives but even among moderate voices. Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, for example, has expressed that this case should never have seen the light of day, a noteworthy dissent from a member of the same party.
James, in a spirited defense of her actions, countered that New York is prospering despite Trump’s claims that the state has become inhospitable to business. Apparently, a high stock market and ongoing business success are just details in her argument, while Trump occupies himself with name-calling and distractions. This narrative plays well in the progressive playbook, where facts can easily be bent to fit the desired storyline.
The saga isn’t over yet. The Appellate Division is prepared to hear Trump’s case on September 26, right in the heart of campaign season. It’s a high-stakes game with tremendous implications, especially as Election Day draws near. Trump has already committed to a $175 million bond to shield against any collection from the state while he appeals. With the court’s decision looming ahead of the November elections and the possibility of further appeals to higher courts, it seems this battle is far from finished. James may be confidently standing on her legal high ground, but the outcome remains unpredictable, keeping everyone guessing—even those who typically lean to one side of the political aisle.
