New York Attorney General Letitia James has pleaded not guilty to federal charges of bank fraud and making false statements to a financial institution.
James appeared in court in US District Court in Norfolk, Virginia, on Friday during a brief hearing where her legal team requested a speedy trial.
Speaking outside the courthouse after her arraignment, James accused Trump of wielding the justice system as a vehicle of retribution against her and other critics.
She had previously filed charges against individuals Trump considers his political adversaries.
There's no fear today, she declared as supporters cheered outside the court. A judge has set the trial date for January 26.
The federal government alleges James bought a three-bedroom home in Norfolk using a mortgage loan that designated the property as a secondary residence, which prohibited shared ownership or timesharing. However, the indictment claims the home was actually used as a rental investment property and rented to a family of three.
This misrepresentation purportedly allowed James to get favorable loan terms that would not apply to an investment property, according to prosecutors.
Reports indicate that James purchased the home for her great-niece in 2020, and that the relative never paid rent for it.
In court filings, James's legal team signaled plans to contest the appointment of US attorney Lindsey Halligan to her case, as Halligan was appointed by Trump after the resignation of another prosecutor who allegedly found insufficient evidence to charge James.
James's attorneys are also preparing to file a motion to dismiss the case on the grounds of vindictiveness. She is among several of Trump’s critics currently under investigation or facing charges.
Recent weeks have seen charges brought against other Trump critics, including former FBI director James Comey and former national security adviser John Bolton.
Additionally, Trump's public statements have included urging Attorney General Pam Bondi to charge political opponents, citing reputational damages.
James previously initiated a civil fraud case against Trump and the Trump Organization in 2022, with Trump found liable for falsifying records to obtain better loan terms—a ruling which led to a hefty fine, though an appeals court subsequently deemed it excessive while upholding the fraud liability.
