Letitia James Defies Indictment at Mamdani’s Campaign Rally

NEW YORK, NY — Letitia James, the New York Attorney General, made her first public appearance since being indicted, speaking at a rally for mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani on Monday night in Manhattan’s Washington Heights.

James received a standing ovation from a crowd of thousands at the United Palace Theater as she affirmed her determination to fight against what she described as a weaponization of justice for political gain. “I will not bow, I will not break, I will not bend, I will not capitulate,” she declared.

Although she did not directly mention former President Donald Trump, her remarks hinted at her defiance towards him. “You come for me, you gotta come through all of us,” she said, rallying support amidst the backdrop of her recent legal troubles.

Last week, James was indicted on charges of bank fraud and making false statements related to a property purchase in Norfolk, Virginia. She dismissed these allegations as baseless, claiming they were meant as political retribution.

Speaking to the crowd, James expressed concern over the current political climate: “We see powerful voices trying to silence truth and punish dissent. We are witnessing the fraying of our democracy, the erosion of our system of government,” she stated.

Zohran Mamdani, who is running as the Democratic nominee for mayor, praised James for her work and assured her supporters that the time has come to fight for her in turn. “For years, you have fought the good fight for New Yorkers, and now it’s our time to fight for you,” he said.

James’ defense attorney responded to the indictment, affirming that James would vigorously contest the charges when she appears in court on October 24. Prosecutors allege she misled a bank to secure more favorable loan terms for her property.

Despite the legal challenges, a spokesperson for James stated her campaign has raised approximately $1 million recently, primarily from new donors. As the mayoral election approaches on November 4, James’ support for Mamdani signals her continued influence in New York politics.