Letitia James, the New York Attorney General under indictment, expressed her defiance on Monday during her first public engagement following federal charges alleging she engaged in bank fraud and misled a financial institution to secure a reduced mortgage rate.
“We are seeing influential forces working to suppress the truth, retaliate against dissent, and manipulate justice for partisan advantage,” James shared with supporters of Zohran Mamdani at a rally supporting the leading candidate for New York City mayor, held in Washington Heights.
“We are witnessing the deterioration of our democracy and the weakening of governmental systems,” the state’s chief prosecutor asserted, characterizing this political moment as “a pivotal point in our history.”
James, who could face up to 60 years in prison if convicted on the two charges against her, urged attendees to “unite in defense of our rights.”
“We must safeguard every right, every institution, every immigrant, every norm, and every regulation of law,” the indicted official continued.
“I understand what it means to be targeted for merely fulfilling your responsibilities,” James remarked. “However, I also know the experience of rising above challenges. And thus, I stand firm and resolute.”
“I will not bow! I will not break! I will not bend! I will not yield! I will not capitulate! I will not give in! I will not give up!” she passionately declared.
“If you pursue me, you must confront all of us! Each and every one of us. We are united in this struggle.”
In light of her legal challenges, James expressed that in the “past few days,” she has drawn upon the “strength” and “bravery” of her ancestors.
She assured the audience of her commitment to “continue opposing the aggressive policies from Washington, D.C.,” reiterating that she will not “give up” or “give in.”
“I fear no one,” James proclaimed.
The enthusiastic crowd welcomed James with a standing ovation when she took the stage and cheered, “We love Tish! We love Tish!” as she concluded her address.
James also expressed strong support for Mamdani, calling him her “very good friend” and “little brother.”
The indictment against James was handed down by the Eastern District of Virginia last week.
According to the Justice Department, James inaccurately represented her intentions regarding a property she acquired in Norfolk, Virginia, in 2020 when applying for a $109,600 mortgage loan.
She accepted a “Second Home Rider” with the mortgage, which required her to “occupy and use the property as her secondary residence, prohibiting its use for timesharing or any arrangement that would necessitate renting the property or giving others occupancy or use control over it.”
“Contrary to these claims,” prosecutors noted, the property in Norfolk “was neither occupied nor used by James as a secondary residence and was instead utilized as a rental investment.”
The “misrepresentation” reportedly enabled James to secure a mortgage rate that would have otherwise been inaccessible had she disclosed her intent to rent the property, as stated by the DOJ.
The “ill-gotten gains” from the reduced mortgage rate amounted to an estimated “$18,933 throughout the duration of the loan,” prosecutors allege.
