Letitia James is campaigning for Zahran Mamdani in her first public appearance since her federal indictment
New York Attorney General Letitia James gave an impassioned speech Monday night in support of New York mayoral candidate Zahran Mamdani in her first public appearance since her federal indictment last week.
“He is a leader fighting for a better future for this city, and he, like me, knows what it is to be attacked, defamed, threatened and harassed,” James said of Mamdani, the Democratic nominee, ahead of next month’s general election.
“I see the courage embodied in Zahran, and that is why I support him,” she said.
James spoke at a campaign rally in Washington Heights less than a week after a federal grand jury in Virginia indicted her on fraud charges related to a mortgage loan. The case was brought by Lindsey Halligan, the acting US attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, who was once one of President Donald Trump’s personal lawyers. Weeks ago, Trump pressured Attorney General Pam Bondi on social media to prosecute James and his other political opponents.
James, who has denied any wrongdoing, did not mention Trump by name on Monday, but gave a strong response to the accusations against her, saying that “powerful voices” were trying to “use justice as a weapon for political gain.”
“I know what it’s like to be attacked just for doing my job,” she said. “But I also know what it’s like to overcome adversity, so I’m standing on a solid rock, and I’m not going to bend. I’m not going to break. I’m not going to bend. I’m not going to give up. I’m not going to give in, I’m not going to give up.”
Mamdani appeared to be referring to the legal battles that lie ahead for James.
“Thank you to the elected officials, labor and movement leaders here with us tonight, and thank you to New York Attorney General Tish James,” he said. “For years, you have fought the good fight for New Yorkers, and now it is our time to fight for you.”
Both James and Mamdani are prominent Trump critics and have also been frequent targets of him.
Trump called Mamdani a “communist” and questioned his immigration status. In July, he proposed arresting Mamdani if he, as mayor, defied ICE’s deportation efforts.
James has also fallen into Trump’s crosshairs, especially after she obtained a nearly $500 million judgment against him and his companies before he was elected to a second term last year. The New York Court of Appeals later overturned the civil fraud penalty.
Mamdani’s biggest opponent in next month’s election is former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, whom he defeated in the Democratic primary in June. Cuomo later launched an independent bid for mayor.
James was an outspoken critic of Cuomo before she launched her failed bid for governor four years ago. After investigating sexual misconduct allegations against Cuomo that led to his resignation in 2021, James’ office released a report that found Cuomo had sexually harassed at least 11 women. He denied these accusations.