NY Attorney General Letitia James Faces Criticism and Threats Amid Ongoing Trump Cases and Police Reform Debates

New York Attorney General Letitia James is under scrutiny from multiple fronts, highlighting the complex and contentious nature of her role. Recently, Damon K. Jones, the New York Representative of Blacks In Law Enforcement of America (BLEA), criticized James for prioritizing high-profile cases against former President Donald Trump over critical police reform initiatives in the state.

Jones expressed frustration that James has not adequately addressed recent incidents of police violence against Black New Yorkers, such as the death of Jarrell Garris, who was fatally shot by New Rochelle police during a mental health crisis. He argued that the Attorney General’s office has been silent on policing reform since James took office and that the current approach to police use of force lacks uniform statewide standards, leading to dangerous inconsistencies in how Black and minority communities are policed.

In addition to the criticism from BLEA, James is also facing threats from allies of President-elect Donald Trump. Mike Davis, a potential top cabinet appointee for Trump, threatened James with prison time for continuing her legal actions against Trump. Davis made inflammatory remarks, including a body-shaming insult, during an appearance on a right-wing YouTube program, warning James not to pursue further legal action against Trump in his second term.

James has been a persistent thorn in Trump’s side, having successfully sued him for fraud earlier this year. Her office secured a significant victory, with Trump and his organization ordered to pay $463.9 million for financial fraud. Despite the ongoing legal battles, James has vowed to continue defending the state and nation against any actions by the new administration.

Separately, James has condemned racist text messages targeting Black and Brown students in New York and nationwide. These messages, which included threats and racist language, were denounced by James as “disgusting and unacceptable.” Her office has urged recipients to report such messages to the Attorney General’s Civil Rights Bureau.