Trump Revives Attacks on NY AG Letitia James With New Criminal Referrals
The ongoing legal saga between former President Donald Trump and New York Attorney General Letitia James continues to unfold, marked by accusations, investigations, and shifting court rulings. What began as a civil fraud investigation in 2022 has spiraled into a series of legal battles, with recent developments including new criminal referrals against James herself. This timeline details the key events, from the initial allegations of financial misconduct to the latest attempts to pursue legal action against the Attorney General.
Judges Orders Trump to Pay $350 Million… and More
The initial volley came in 2022 when Attorney General James filed a civil lawsuit alleging that Trump, his adult children, and the Trump Organization engaged in a decade-long scheme to inflate the value of assets to secure favorable loans and insurance rates. CBS News reported that in 2024, a New York judge ordered Trump to pay over $350 million in “ill-gotten gains,” plus substantial interest. However, this ruling was later overturned on appeal in August 2025, as detailed in a summary of the case on Wikipedia. This reversal didn’t complete the conflict, but rather intensified Trump’s focus on targeting James.
Trump Targets Enemies in Second Term
Even before regaining office, Trump publicly vowed retribution against James. In 2023, he accused her of fraud on his Truth Social platform, calling for her prosecution. (“She should be prosecuted!”). Upon entering his second term, Trump initiated a formal investigation into James at the start of 2025, pressuring Virginia prosecutors to pursue charges, as The Root reported. A key figure in this effort was Lindsey Halligan, a former pageant queen appointed by Trump as Interim U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia.
Indictment Against James
In October 2025, James was indicted on mortgage fraud charges. This occurred alongside the indictment of former FBI Director James Comey on charges of obstruction and allegedly lying to Congress. Both James and Comey contested the charges and questioned Halligan’s appointment, ultimately leading a judge to side with them and dismiss the cases.
Judge Dismisses Charges Without Prejudice
Just before Thanksgiving 2025, Judge Cameron McGowan Currie dismissed the cases against both James and Comey “without prejudice,” meaning prosecutors could potentially refile charges in the future. The dismissal stemmed from a ruling that Halligan had not been lawfully appointed, invalidating any cases she pursued, NBC News reported. James publicly welcomed the decision, reaffirming her commitment to serving New Yorkers and dismissing the charges as baseless.
Newest Criminal Referrals
The latest escalation came on March 25, 2026, when Bill Pulte, Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, made two criminal referrals against James to prosecutors in Florida and Illinois. These referrals, as reported by NBC News, allege that James may have provided false information on homeowner’s insurance applications. Pulte’s letters claim discrepancies in occupancy details for two properties in Norfolk, Virginia.
James’ attorney has dismissed these referrals as politically motivated and predicted their failure, echoing the outcome of previous attempts to pursue legal action against the Attorney General. The legal battles between Trump and James appear set to continue, with the potential for further investigations and legal challenges on the horizon.
Procedural Outlook: While the recent referrals have reignited the conflict, the dismissal of previous charges “without prejudice” suggests a strategic approach by the Justice Department. Any future prosecutions will likely face intense scrutiny regarding the legitimacy of the appointed prosecutors and the evidence presented. The ongoing investigations into James’ finances and associations will likely remain a focal point, but the legal path forward remains uncertain.