New York Attorney General Letitia James should be “very concerned” about a reported federal grand jury investigation related to her civil fraud lawsuit against former President Donald Trump, according to MSNBC legal analyst Danny Cevallos. The inquiry reportedly examines whether James violated civil rights statutes during her pursuit of Trump and his company.
The New York Times recently reported that the acting U.S. attorney for the Northern District of New York has issued subpoenas connected to James’ lawsuit against Trump and his business entities, as well as her separate case against the National Rifle Association (NRA). These subpoenas are part of a Department of Justice (DOJ) investigation exploring whether James’ actions constituted civil rights violations.
Speaking on Chris Jansing Reports, Cevallos emphasized the seriousness of being under federal grand jury scrutiny. “There is nothing scarier for a citizen than to get a subpoena or find out that they’re being investigated by a federal criminal grand jury. It’s terrifying,” he said.
Cevallos explained that grand jury investigations tend to be broad and thorough, often gathering vast amounts of information and efficiently processing it. “The problem for people is that they may be investigating issue number one and then stumble across never before known issue number two when going through all those documents,” he noted. This dynamic means prosecutors could uncover unrelated matters that become new avenues for investigation or charges.
“That is why if somebody is the subject, the target, of a grand jury investigation, that is not a good sign,” Cevallos added. He cautioned that given the federal government’s extensive investigative powers, James should be concerned—not necessarily because she has done something wrong, but because intense scrutiny of financial and business records dating back years could reveal information of interest to prosecutors.
Letitia James gained national prominence after campaigning for New York Attorney General in 2018 on a platform that included investigating Donald Trump. In September 2022, she filed a civil fraud lawsuit accusing Trump of inflating the value of real estate holdings to secure favorable loan terms.
In February 2024, James achieved a significant legal victory when a court ordered Trump to pay $354 million in penalties. With interest and other costs, the total amount due has reportedly surpassed $450 million.
James’ legal team has strongly criticized the reported federal probe. Her attorney, Abbe Lowell, told The New York Times that the investigation is “the most blatant and desperate example of this administration carrying out the president’s political retribution campaign.” Lowell described the move as “weaponizing the Department of Justice to try to punish an elected official for doing her job,” calling it “an attack on the rule of law and a dangerous escalation by this administration.”
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Lowell emphasized that if prosecutors are truly interested in uncovering the truth, James and her team are prepared to present their case based on facts and law.
In addition to the grand jury probe, The New York Times reported that the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York launched a formal investigation into James herself on May 8, 2025. This investigation concerns allegations of mortgage fraud against the Attorney General. James has denied any wrongdoing and characterized the probe as retaliatory, aimed at undermining her ongoing legal actions against Trump.
The developments mark a significant escalation in the legal and political battles involving Letitia James, Donald Trump, and the Justice Department. They raise complex questions about the use of federal prosecutorial powers and the potential interplay between politics and the justice system.
As of this writing, no charges have been publicly filed against James in connection with the mortgage fraud investigation, nor have further details about the grand jury inquiry been disclosed. The situation remains fluid and is likely to attract continued attention from both legal observers and political commentators.
Emily Johnson is a critically acclaimed essayist and novelist known for her thought-provoking works centered on feminism, women’s rights, and modern relationships. Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, Emily grew up with a deep love of books, often spending her afternoons at her local library. She went on to study literature and gender studies at UCLA, where she became deeply involved in activism and began publishing essays in campus journals. Her debut essay collection, Voices Unbound, struck a chord with readers nationwide for its fearless exploration of gender dynamics, identity, and the challenges faced by women in contemporary society. Emily later transitioned into fiction, writing novels that balance compelling storytelling with social commentary. Her protagonists are often strong, multidimensional women navigating love, ambition, and the struggles of everyday life, making her a favorite among readers who crave authentic, relatable narratives. Critics praise her ability to merge personal intimacy with universal themes. Off the page, Emily is an advocate for women in publishing, leading workshops that encourage young female writers to embrace their voices. She lives in Seattle with her partner and two rescue cats, where she continues to write, teach, and inspire a new generation of storytellers.
