In a moment charged with defiance and emotion, New York Attorney General Letitia James returned to the public stage Monday night for the first time since being federally indicted on bank fraud charges, using the spotlight not to defend herself—but to double down on her fight against what she described as “political retribution” from President Donald Trump.
Standing alongside New York City mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani at a packed “Our Time Has Come” rally in Washington Heights, James electrified a crowd of nearly 3,000 supporters. Her message was clear: she will not retreat, and she will not be silenced.
A Defiant Comeback
“I know what it feels like to be attacked for just doing your job,” James said, her voice rising over the cheers that filled the United Palace Theater. “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.”
The line drew thunderous applause and chants of “We love Tish!” from the audience, a mix of longtime supporters, progressive organizers, and elected officials rallying in her defense. The event marked a symbolic resurgence for the embattled attorney general—who, despite facing federal charges, appeared resolute and unflinching in the face of mounting political pressure.
Her remarks avoided directly naming Trump, but the subtext was unmistakable. “We have no time to linger and focus on pettiness and revenge,” James declared. “We’ve got to press on, press forward, continue the journey, and claim the victory. Courage, my friends, is resistance to fear. And so I fear no man.”
Federal Indictment and Political Fallout
James’ fiery appearance came just days after U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan—a former attorney for Trump—announced that a federal grand jury in the Eastern District of Virginia had indicted her on one count of bank fraud and one count of making false statements to financial institutions.
The charges stem from the purchase of a modest $137,000 home in Norfolk, Virginia in 2020. Prosecutors allege that James violated the terms of her mortgage by renting out the property to a family instead of occupying it as her primary residence for at least one year, as required by the loan agreement.
James quickly dismissed the allegations as “nothing more than a continuation of the president’s desperate weaponization of our justice system.” Her legal team has characterized the case as an act of political retaliation—an accusation that has resonated deeply among Democrats and progressives who view Trump’s renewed presidency as a return to score-settling governance.
If convicted, James would be required under New York law to vacate her position as attorney general, a stunning prospect for one of the state’s most high-profile political figures.
Rallying Behind Mamdani
The Monday night rally was officially billed as a campaign event for Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for New York City mayor, but it quickly evolved into a show of solidarity with James.
Mamdani, a 33-year-old state assemblyman from Queens and self-described democratic socialist, has long been an ally of James. As the crowd roared, he took the stage to express his gratitude.
“Thank you to New York’s attorney general, Tish James,” Mamdani said. “For years, you have fought the good fight for New Yorkers, and now it’s our time to fight for you.”
James returned the praise, calling Mamdani “a leader fighting for a better future for this city.” She added, “He, like me, knows what it’s like to be attacked, to be called names, to be threatened, to be harassed. And each and every day, he wakes up with this fire in his belly because he wants to build a better New York.”
The pair hugged on stage to a standing ovation—an image that quickly spread across social media, symbolizing unity among the city’s progressive ranks amid rising national tensions.
Trump’s Shadow Looms Over the Race
Both James and Mamdani have been frequent targets of Trump’s criticism. The president has derided Mamdani as a “communist” and threatened to cut federal funding to New York City if the progressive lawmaker is elected mayor and “doesn’t behave.”
Mamdani, who could become the city’s first Muslim mayor, has shrugged off the insults, describing himself as “Donald Trump’s worst nightmare.” He has vowed to continue opposing Trump’s “aggressive policies” and has campaigned on affordable housing, policing reform, and protecting immigrant communities.
James, meanwhile, has long been one of Trump’s fiercest adversaries. As attorney general, she led a high-profile civil fraud lawsuit against Trump and The Trump Organization, accusing them of inflating asset values to secure favorable loans and insurance terms. A New York court found Trump and his company liable for fraud in 2024, though an appeals court later overturned the monetary penalty while affirming that fraud had occurred.
The history between the two politicians lends a sharp political edge to James’ current legal troubles. Her supporters argue that the charges are the culmination of years of hostility from a president eager to discredit one of his most tenacious opponents.
Building a Movement Through Adversity
The rally drew an array of Democratic leaders, including Reps. Nydia Velázquez and Adriano Espaillat, as well as New York City Councilmember Chi Ossé, all of whom expressed solidarity with James. For them, her indictment represents not only a legal battle but a broader test of democratic resilience.
“Powerful forces are trying to silence those who speak truth to power,” one speaker said. “But we are here to say that New York stands with Letitia James.”
Mamdani echoed that sentiment on Friday, calling the indictment an “attack on our city” and a reminder that “justice itself is under siege.”
For James, the event served as both a campaign appearance and a public declaration that she intends to keep fighting. “I will keep fighting for justice,” she vowed. “I will keep fighting for New Yorkers. I will keep fighting the aggressive policies of Washington, D.C. And I will not stop. I won’t give up, and I won’t give in.”
As she left the stage to cheers, James looked energized, waving to the crowd with a confident smile. Despite the shadow of indictment, she appeared every bit the fighter her supporters believe her to be — unbowed, unbroken, and determined to turn adversity into action.
