New York Attorney General Letitia James made her first public appearance Monday night since being indicted on federal fraud charges, joining New York City Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani at a campaign rally in Washington Heights, as reported [1] by Fox News.
Speaking before an estimated 3,000 attendees, James defiantly declared that she “will not bow” and vowed to continue opposing President Donald Trump’s “aggressive policies.”
The event, titled “Our Time Has Come,” featured several New York Democrats, including Reps. Nydia Velázquez and Adriana Espaillat, and New York City Councilmember Chi Ossé.
The rally took place three weeks before the November 4 mayoral election, in which Mamdani, a self-described democratic socialist, faces Independent candidate Andrew Cuomo and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa.
“Thank you to New York’s attorney general, Tish James,” Mamdani said from the stage. “For years, you have fought the good fight for New Yorkers, and now it’s our time to fight for you.”
James was indicted last week by a federal grand jury in the Eastern District of Virginia. U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan announced that the attorney general faces charges of bank fraud and making false statements to financial institutions.
The charges stem from allegations involving falsified mortgage documentation tied to a Virginia property.
During her remarks Monday night, James rejected the charges as politically motivated. “I know what it feels like to be attacked for just doing your job,” she said.
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“I also know what it feels like to overcome adversity, and so I stand on solid rock, and I will not bow. I will not break. I will not bend. I will not capitulate. I will not give in. I will not give up.”
James also accused President Trump of using the justice system for political purposes.
“This indictment is nothing more than a continuation of the president’s desperate weaponization of our justice system,” she said. “I will keep fighting for justice. I will keep fighting for New Yorkers. I will keep fighting the aggressive policies of Washington, D.C. And I will not stop.”
The attorney general has been a vocal opponent of President Trump since bringing a civil fraud case against him and The Trump Organization in New York.
That case accused the company of inflating asset values and net worth to obtain favorable financial terms. A New York judge previously ruled Trump and his company liable for fraud.
At the rally, Mamdani and other Democratic leaders voiced support for James and condemned the indictment.
“We speak with a voice that recognizes that we are standing in front of the same courthouse where Attorney General Tish James did her job, upholding the law and holding Donald Trump accountable,” Mamdani said.
James endorsed Mamdani for mayor earlier this year and said she stands with him because he “knows what it’s like to be attacked, to be called names, to be threatened, to be harassed.” She said Mamdani’s campaign reflects a shared determination to “build a better New York.”
The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment.