New York Attorney General Letitia James has faced criticism over her civil lawsuit against former President Donald Trump alleging fraud in his real estate business.
While an initial $454 million judgment was issued against Trump, it was vastly reduced on appeal.
James then attempted to circumvent the appeals court allowing Trump to post a $175 million bond, but was rebuked by a state judge.
Legal observers have excoriated James and the judge overseeing the case for bringing a “witch hunt” against Trump, citing James’ campaign promises to “sue his [expletive]” and questioning whether he could receive a fair trial.
Commentators argue the politicized case has contributed to Trump’s rising poll numbers and portrayed him as a martyr.
“Letitia James campaigned for attorney general in 2018 specifically on a promise of ‘vote for me and I’ll get Donald Trump,’” CNN legal analyst Eli Honig said.
“That’s not something she said once. She said it dozens of times, she said it in writing, she fundraised off it, and she wasn’t even specific. She didn’t say ‘I’ll get him for inflating his assets.’ At one point she said he could be indicted for money laundering… The day after she was elected, she said, and I quote, ‘We’re definitely going to sue his ass. He’ll know my name.’”
“When you make statements like that, how can you say there’s no political angle to this?” Honig asked.
“Had it not been [Trump], it wouldn’t have been brought because there’s never been a case like this before,” Florida real estate titan Don Peebles said. “I think that is an example of why Trump continues to rise in the polls. They are making him into a martyr.”
The outcome may prove to be a pyrrhic victory for James given the tens of millions spent despite reduced damages and ongoing appeals.
