Mamdani, a candidate for mayor of NYC, supports Attorney General Letitia James following her indictment.

Support for Letitia James Amid Legal Troubles

Socialist Party candidate for New York City Mayor, Zoran Mamdani, is backing Attorney General Letitia James following her indictment by a grand jury. He described the charges of bank fraud and false statements as a “shameless act of political retaliation” orchestrated by the Trump administration.

“This isn’t just an attack on Attorney General Tish James,” Mamdani stated at a press conference with local leaders. “This is an attack on our city. We each represent different parts, but today, we stand united.”

James was indicted on Thursday in Virginia. This came months after a criminal referral from Federal Housing Finance Director Bill Pruitt suggested she might have falsified mortgage records to secure better loan terms.

Mamdani, a left-wing figure who believes in communist ideologies, reached out to James after the indictment and expressed confidence in his ability to win the case.

“She told me, ‘Don’t worry about me,'” he recounted. “It’s clear she’s dedicated to the people of this city.” He emphasized James’ trust in her legal team, who have a solid track record in court.

James has been a long-time adversary of Trump, promising during her 2018 campaign to hold him accountable. Mamdani noted that her office has filed numerous legal challenges against Trump and plans to continue doing so to safeguard New Yorkers’ rights.

Additionally, James’ office had previously taken legal action against Trump and the Trump Organization, winning a significant judgment for fraudulent business practices.

Mamdani reiterated that James’s indictment represents a “shameless act of political retaliation” by Trump. He accused Trump of undermining democracy and placing his personal interests above his responsibilities as president. “Instead of targeting Tish James, he should focus on fulfilling the promises he made during his campaign,” he insisted, reflecting on the challenges faced by ordinary citizens.

He criticized the indictment in a broader context, framing it as an act of an authoritarian regime attempting to punish those enforcing the law fairly. “We can’t sit idly by as this president attacks the very fabric of our democracy,” he warned.

Meanwhile, details from Pruitt’s referral highlight issues with James’ primary residency claims in mortgage documents, raising questions about her real estate purchases. As a statewide elected official, James is mandated to reside in New York.