The idea that New York Attorney General Letitia James would have to “eat her own words” after the Trump administration referred her for possible federal prosecution for alleged mortgage fraud thrilled a number of conservatives.
James’ own statement that “no one is above the law” was swiftly seized upon by critics when it was revealed on Tuesday that she had been subject to a criminal referral for allegedly engaging in financial fraud in order to obtain favorable property loans for herself.
When her agency decided to prosecute the Trump Organization for misrepresenting the prices of numerous properties in a civil fraud trial that resulted in a $454 million verdict, James screamed out the now-famous statement.
Conservative commentators and Republican lawmakers were quick to boast that “the tables have now turned” and that the AG was now getting “karma.”
“Everyone is subject to the law!” Elise Stefanik, a congresswoman from New York, criticized X.
“Letitia James engaged in some of the most shameful, partisan lawfare against President Trump — based on far less evidence than this,” said Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas.
“These claims need to be looked into in detail,” said Senator Jim Banks of Indiana.
Sen. Eric Schmitt of Missouri also made fun of the AG’s earlier comments on Twitter, writing: “Something, something… no one is above the law.”
Numerous right-wing pundits also chimed in, with legal scholar and Post columnist Jonathan Turley declaring that “the irony is crushing.”
“She previously prosecuted Trump for everything short of ripping a label off a mattress. She emphasized that Trump was ultimately responsible for any filings made in his name or that of his company,” he stated.
“The greatest danger for Letitia James may be if the Letitia James standard is applied to her case. She emphasized that such technicalities matter and that the powerful should not be given a free pass under these laws.”
Read Also: Trump Officials Prevent Social Security Chief from Testifying Over ‘Death List’ Program
Clay Travis, the creator of Outkick, also added his thoughts, writing, “New York AG Letitia James being prosecuted for lying about her assets to get a mortgage after prosecuting Trump for lying about his assets to get a bank loan would be too perfect. They always accuse you of what they actually did.”
The joyous response followed just hours after William Pulte, the director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), accused James of “falsifying records” in order to obtain home loans for a Virginia property she claimed as her “principal residence” in 2023. The letter was addressed to Attorney General Pam Bondi and Deputy AG Todd Blanche.
Only a few weeks before James started her civil fraud trial against President Trump’s company, the alleged violation took place in late August 2023.
“Ms. James was the sitting Attorney General of New York and is required by law to have her primary residence in the state of New York — even though her mortgage applications list her intent to have the Norfolk, VA, property as her primary home,” according to the letter.
“It appears Ms. James’ property and mortgage-related misrepresentations may have continued to her recent 2023 Norfolk, VA property purchase in order to secure a lower interest rate and more favorable loan terms.”
In a subsequent statement, the AG’s office vowed not to be frightened by the Trump administration’s order.
