Letitia James Challenges DOJ Probe Over Trump and NRA Cases

New York Attorney General Letitia James is contesting a federal criminal investigation concerning allegations of “selective enforcement” related to her cases against Donald Trump’s business and the National Rifle Association (NRA). Court documents unsealed on October 24, 2025, reveal that James is attempting to block subpoenas issued by the Department of Justice (DOJ). These subpoenas are tied to an inquiry into the validity of her civil fraud case against Trump and the NRA.

The matter highlights significant national concerns, as noted by Judge Lorna Schofield, who emphasized that the implications extend beyond this legal action. In her order to unseal the documents, she stated, “Unsealing this action is not only permissible but compelled,” pointing out that the information at issue is not secret.

In August 2025, it was reported that John A. Sarcone III, acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of New York, issued subpoenas in connection with James’s civil fraud allegations against Trump and the NRA. Meanwhile, James faces separate charges in Virginia related to alleged mortgage fraud, which include accusations of bank fraud and making false statements to a financial institution.

James’s opposition to the DOJ’s subpoenas revolves around claims of “retaliation by the Executive Branch,” questions of state sovereignty, and the alleged improper appointment of the Northern District’s Acting U.S. Attorney. Her legal team argues that Trump failed to adequately raise issues of “selective prosecution, retaliation, and bad faith” during his trial.

In an October 15 motion, James’s attorneys argued that since Trump has returned to the Oval Office, he has utilized grand jury subpoena power to target her office. They claim this move seeks to convert personal grievances, which previously failed in civil claims, into federal criminal accusations—what they describe as a calculated effort to harass a law enforcement agency holding Trump accountable.

James previously sued Trump in 2022 for allegedly inflating the value of his assets to secure more favorable loans. In February 2024, she achieved a $454 million civil fraud judgment against him. However, in August, a New York appeals court deemed the half-billion-dollar penalty excessive while affirming the ruling that he committed fraud.

The DOJ’s rationale for issuing subpoenas relies heavily on a dissenting judge’s opinion criticizing James’s public statements and alleged political motivations. James’s attorneys contend that such dissenting views are insufficient grounds for the subpoenas. They also challenge the legitimacy of the U.S. Attorney’s appointment, arguing that it undermines the legal process.

“The Executive Branch has repeatedly endeavored to give handpicked lawyers the vast powers of U.S. Attorneys without the inconvenience of Senate confirmation,” James’s legal team stated. “Congress did not craft such a carefully constructed vacancy scheme only to allow the Attorney General to choose whomever she wants, whenever she wants.”

Additionally, James is contesting her mortgage fraud charges in Virginia by questioning the appointment of Interim U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan, who was appointed shortly before indicting former FBI Director James Comey on charges of lying to Congress and obstructing a Congressional investigation.

This ongoing legal battle reflects broader issues of accountability and governance at the intersection of state and federal jurisdictions, with significant implications for the political landscape. As developments unfold, both James and Trump remain at the center of a highly publicized legal saga that continues to garner national attention.