New York State Lawyer Basic Letitia “Tish” James addressed her federal indictment for mortgage fraud, prompted by the Trump administration, at an emotional “Fingers Off Tish” rally in Brooklyn this previous weekend.
James pleaded not responsible to the cost on Friday, Oct. 24, in Virginia, in accordance with the Related Press.
“My coronary heart is full of pleasure and my coronary heart may be very heavy at this time limit,” stated James from the pulpit on the First Baptist Church on October 27. She was surrounded by longtime political allies and associates, in addition to union members, clergy, and group members.
James is the primary Black girl to carry statewide workplace in New York, and has been in workplace since 2018. She received a $355 million fraud lawsuit in opposition to President Donald Trump from 2022. The fantastic portion of the decision was later overturned, stated the AP.
Trump went on to turn into the primary U.S president to be convicted of felony crimes on 34 counts, sustaining it was a “rigged” trial in 2024. Trump publicly known as on the Justice Division to prosecute James and his different political enemies final month. No proof of wrongdoing was discovered till Trump put in Lindsey Halligan because the U.S. Lawyer for the Jap District of Virginia to do his bidding, reported the AP.
U.S. Lawyer Basic Pam Bondi moved ahead with a mortgage fraud case in opposition to James, by which James was accused of mendacity within the course of of buying a house in Norfolk, Va., to get favorable mortgage phrases. The DOJ additionally issued two subpoenas associated to the civil case in opposition to Trump and a Nationwide Rifle Affiliation case.
James defined on the rally that she purchased the home in Norfolk for her great-niece and her niece’s youngsters. “That’s what we do. You are taking your blessings and also you move it on, and let’s be trustworthy: Generally household isn’t good,” stated James. “However they’re my household anyway and I’ll at all times assist them.”
“Free folks don’t stand by whereas others are certain,” stated L. Pleasure Williams, president of the New York State Convention of the NAACP, one of many essential organizers of the rally.
Different audio system on the rally included Nationwide City League President Marc Morial; Ashley Sharpton, founder and director of the Nationwide Motion Community Youth Huddle; 1199SEIU President April Verrett; New York Civil Liberties Union Govt Director Donna Lieberman; Public Advocate Jumaane Williams; civil rights activist Maya Wiley; Rep. Yvette Clarke; and Home Minority Chief Hakeem Jeffries.
Most of the audio system stated that the indictment was little greater than a “canine whistle” to silence Black management who’re immune to Trump’s agenda.
“We stand with Tish James till these baseless prices are dismissed and justice is served,” stated Jeffries.
“What we’re witnessing is a creep towards tyranny on this nation,” stated Morial. “Totalitarianism exists the place a frontrunner makes use of concern to silence their adversaries. Totalitarianism exists the place a corrupt chief seeks to regulate data. Totalitarianism exists the place a frontrunner seeks to create a cult of persona round them, so whether or not they’re proper or incorrect, like pulling down elements of the White Home, nonetheless, folks assist them.”
James’s subsequent trial date is in January 2026. Her legal professional is arguing that the cost is a vindictive prosecution introduced on by the president and ought to be dismissed.
In the same place, present Mayor Eric Adams was indicted in 2024 for federal bribery and corruption prices. He usually claimed that he was a “goal” beneath former President Joe Biden’s “vindictive” DOJ. After a number of months of complying with Trump as soon as he obtained in workplace, the fees in opposition to Adams have been dropped in April 2025.
