Former Representative Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) admitted on Friday that he erred in his commitment to go after President Trump during his last campaign, following the indictment of New York Attorney General Letitia James (D-N.Y.) on mortgage fraud charges.
Kinzinger commented on CNN’s “AC360,” stating, “Letitia James should never have made those comments. She should never have rushed to make such declarations. Before seeing the evidence, before acting, saying ‘I’m going to go after him’—that was wrong.” He reiterated that, while it wasn’t illegal, it was indeed inappropriate.
This week, New York’s attorney general found herself indicted on bank fraud charges by Lindsey Harrigan, the interim U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, appointed after Trump voiced discontent over the lack of legal action against James and other political rivals.
James, who previously secured a successful fraud case against Trump prior to his reelection campaign, has been charged with bank fraud and providing false statements to financial institutions. In a statement on Thursday, she asserted, “This is a continuation of the president’s desperate attempts to misuse our justice system. I’m not afraid—I’m fearless.” She pledged to robustly contest the claims against her and vowed to defend the rights of New Yorkers vigorously.
In her victory speech following the 2018 election, James had declared, “As the next attorney general, I will shine a bright light into the darkest corners of my state,” specifically referring to Trump’s real estate dealings. In 2022, she initiated a civil lawsuit against Trump that led to a state judge imposing a hefty fine of over $350 million. This penalty was later overturned by an appeals judge who deemed it excessive but acknowledged Trump’s culpability in the matter.
Eric Siebert, a former U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, resigned last September after informing senior Justice Department officials that there wasn’t enough evidence to indict James.
During a segment on Thursday, CNN’s Anderson Cooper supported Kinzinger’s sentiments, implying that James’ intent to prosecute Trump before the election might not be the best approach. “That’s not an attractive situation for someone who just won office and campaigned, without thoroughly reviewing the evidence,” Cooper remarked.
However, CNN legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin took a different stance, noting that in the U.S., attorneys general and district attorneys are elected officials who often make political statements as part of their roles. “Just because she made an inappropriate remark doesn’t mean she should face fraud charges years later,” he argued, insisting that criminal cases should be judged on their own merits without a retaliatory mindset.
The indictment of James comes on the heels of Trump pursuing federal indictments against former FBI Director James Comey and California Senator Adam Schiff (D), both significant figures in investigations during his presidency. In late September, Trump directed Attorney General Pam Bondi to initiate legal proceedings against them via a post on Truth Social, stating, “They are all totally guilty…” He expressed urgency, claiming, “We cannot delay this any longer. This is harmful to our reputation and credibility,” while lamenting his own impeachment and multiple indictments.
Meanwhile, Comey pleaded not guilty to charges of lying to Congress during a recent court appearance.
