In a striking development, the Trump administration has initiated a criminal referral against New York Attorney General Letitia James, accusing her of alleged mortgage fraud. This action comes shortly after James secured a $464 million civil fraud judgment against former President Donald Trump and his business entities .
The referral was made by William Pulte, Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, and directed to Attorney General Pam Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. This move aligns with President Trump’s previously stated intentions to pursue legal action against political adversaries .
A spokesperson for James criticized the referral, stating, “Attorney General James is focused every single day on protecting New Yorkers, especially as this Administration weaponizes the federal government against the rule of law and the Constitution” .
James’s office has not yet responded to the specific allegations in the referral. However, the timing of this action, following her legal victory against Trump, has raised concerns about the potential politicization of federal law enforcement.
This development underscores the escalating tensions between the Trump administration and its critics, highlighting the administration’s willingness to use federal mechanisms against perceived political opponents.