New York Attorney General Letitia James, who praised the over $350 million penalty against former President Donald Trump, had vowed years prior to help remove him from office given the chance.
On Friday, Judge Arthur Engoron ordered Trump and the Trump Organization to pay over $350 million in damages and banned Trump from high positions in New York companies for three years. This came after James’ office sued Trump for civil fraud in September 2022 following a lengthy probe. James lauded the outcome, saying “Today, justice has been served. Today we proved that no one is above the law.”
In response, Trump said the justice system was under attack and that James had obsessed over prosecuting him for years.
Throughout her attorney general campaign, James said she would challenge Trump and bring charges against him. In a 2018 video, she even said she would help oust him, stating: “I’m running for attorney general because I will never be afraid to challenge this illegitimate president when our fundamental rights are at stake.”
“I believe this president is incompetent. I believe he is ill-equipped to serve in the highest office of this land. And I believe that he is an embarrassment to all that we stand for,” she continued.
James said Trump should be charged with obstruction, and she would join law enforcement in “removing this president from office.” She also vowed to probe his real estate deals for alleged money laundering.