Staff Reports
New York Attorney General Letitia James, long known for her crusade against former President Donald Trump and her repeated claims that “no one is above the law,” now finds herself in the crosshairs of a federal criminal referral for alleged mortgage fraud. The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) has accused James of falsifying key details on mortgage applications for properties in both Virginia and New York, raising serious questions about her integrity and fitness to serve. The irony is unmistakable: the very official who made her name prosecuting Trump for real estate misrepresentations is now facing similar allegations.
The heart of the case centers on James’s 2023 purchase of a Norfolk, Virginia home, where she reportedly declared—under oath—that the property would be her principal residence. This declaration was required to secure a more favorable mortgage rate, yet as New York’s attorney general, James is legally required to maintain her primary residence in New York. The documents, witnessed by her own top deputy, leave little room for plausible deniability. In addition, the FHFA alleges that James misrepresented the number of units in a Brooklyn property to qualify for a loan designed for smaller buildings, and even signed documents decades ago with her father listed as her husband, raising further red flags about her pattern of behavior.
James’s response has been to dismiss the allegations as “baseless” and politically motivated, painting herself as the victim of a “revenge tour” orchestrated by Trump and his allies. But this defense rings hollow, especially given her aggressive use of the legal system against her political opponents. When Trump was accused of inflating property values, James was relentless, insisting that intent and accuracy in financial disclosures are paramount. Now, as evidence mounts that she may have engaged in similar conduct, the question is whether she will be held to her standard or whether a double standard will prevail.
Adding fuel to the fire, James has launched a high-dollar fundraiser amid the swirling scandal, seeking donations up to $18,000 per person for her re-election campaign. For a public servant who claims to champion the “little guy,” the optics are terrible. Ordinary Americans are left to wonder how someone under federal investigation for mortgage fraud can so brazenly solicit massive sums from wealthy donors, all while refusing to directly address the core accusations against her. It’s a classic case of political elites circling the wagons, with James’s progressive allies rallying to her side rather than demanding accountability.
This episode should serve as a wake-up call. For years, the left has weaponized the justice system to target political adversaries, setting a precedent that now comes back to haunt them. If Letitia James truly believes in the rule of law, she should welcome a thorough, impartial investigation—and accept the consequences if she is found guilty of the same offenses she so eagerly prosecuted in others. The American people deserve equal justice, not selective enforcement based on political affiliation. The time for accountability is now.
