Quick Hit:

Federal prosecutors have launched a criminal investigation into New York Attorney General Letitia James over allegations she abused her office to target President Donald Trump, with subpoenas issued in a “deprivation of rights” case.

Key Details:

• Multiple outlets report that a grand jury is actively reviewing allegations James violated federal law by targeting Trump and another individual. The investigation centers on potential violations of statutes prohibiting officials from depriving individuals of rights under color of law.
• While officials have not confirmed which U.S. Attorney’s office is overseeing the case, the actions in question reportedly originated from James’ office in Albany, suggesting the Northern District of New York is likely involved.
• James has openly campaigned on her desire to pursue legal action against Trump, once telling a group of New York Democrats she looked forward to “suing [Trump]” every day — comments critics say undermine her credibility and impartiality.

Diving Deeper:

Federal prosecutors have opened a criminal investigation into New York Attorney General Letitia James, focusing on allegations she abused her position to target President Donald Trump and another party. Reports state that subpoenas have been issued as part of a “deprivation of rights” case, a potential federal offense under Section 242 of Title 18. That statute makes it a crime for any official acting under color of law to willfully deprive someone of rights protected by the U.S. Constitution or federal statutes. Convictions can carry penalties ranging from fines to life imprisonment — and, in the most severe cases, the death penalty.

The investigation was reportedly ordered by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and is being run out of a federal prosecutor’s office in New York. While sources did not specify which one, the Northern District of New York appears the most likely given the allegations stem from actions taken in Albany. Federal law defines “color of law” broadly, encompassing actions taken both within and beyond an official’s legal authority, provided the official is purporting to act in an official capacity.

This development adds to James’ mounting legal troubles. In May 2025, it was revealed she was also under FBI investigation for possible mortgage fraud. The new case focuses on her well-documented campaign pledge to go after Trump — a pledge she repeated publicly after taking office. Breitbart News editor-in-chief Alex Marlow, in his book Breaking The Law, highlighted James’ record of openly using her office to target political opponents, noting her 2018 remarks to New York Democrats that she looked forward to “suing [Trump], and then going home.”

Her critics have long argued this is proof she weaponizes the law for political ends. In February 2024, Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) sent a 64-page complaint to the New York Committee on Professional Standards calling for James’ disbarment, citing at least 50 prejudicial public statements about Trump prior to her launching legal action against him.

Despite a surge in crime across New York under her tenure, James’ focus has remained squarely on Trump — a strategy now at the center of an aggressive federal criminal probe that could have serious consequences for the state’s top law enforcement officer.

(AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)