New York Attorney General Letitia James is now the subject of a federal criminal investigation related to alleged civil rights violations stemming from her legal actions against President Donald Trump. Breitbart News has confirmed through two sources briefed on the matter that subpoenas have been issued, and a grand jury is actively investigating claims that James engaged in a “deprivation of rights” under color of law.
The investigation, led by a U.S. Attorney’s Office in New York and initiated by Attorney General Pam Bondi, centers on whether James violated federal law by using her official position to politically target Trump and another unnamed individual. While it has not been confirmed which specific statute is cited, the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division lists Title 18, Section 242, as covering such offenses. This statute makes it a federal crime for any public official to willfully deprive a person of constitutional rights, with potential penalties including life imprisonment or the death penalty, depending on the severity.
The probe raises serious legal questions about James’ conduct while in office. James has publicly campaigned on her commitment to pursue Trump, including statements that she would “go into the office…every day, suing [Trump], and then going home.” These comments, along with her consistent legal pursuit of the former president, have led critics to accuse her of weaponizing the law for political purposes.
This is not the only federal investigation James is facing. Earlier this year, reports surfaced that the FBI was investigating her for alleged mortgage fraud, compounding her legal troubles.
The scrutiny follows growing backlash from Republican leaders. Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) previously submitted a 64-page complaint to the New York Committee on Professional Standards, calling for James to be disbarred over dozens of prejudicial statements made about Trump before initiating legal actions.
As details continue to emerge, the investigation into James marks a significant shift in the narrative around lawfare and the use of prosecutorial power for political ends. It also presents a major credibility challenge for a state official whose tenure has been defined by partisan legal battles.
