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DOJ subpoenas New York AG, probes if she violated Trump’s rights

Weaponising the Department of Justice to try to punish an elected official for doing her job is an attack on the rule of law and a dangerous escalation by this administration.”

New York Attorney General Letitia James speaks Feb. 16, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo)

The US Justice Department has issued subpoenas to New York Attorney General Letitia James as part of an investigation into whether she violated the rights of President Donald Trump, according to a person familiar with the matter.

The subpoenas seek records connected to a civil fraud case James brought against Trump and a separate case involving the National Rifle Association, the person told the Associated Press (AP). The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to discuss details of the investigation.

Geoff Burgan, a spokesperson for the New York attorney general’s office, did not confirm the subpoenas but said in a statement to AP: “Any weaponisation of the justice system should disturb every American. We stand strongly behind our successful litigation against the Trump Organisation and the National Rifle Association, and we will continue to stand up for New Yorkers’ rights.”

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James’ personal lawyer, Abbe D. Lowell, told AP that “if prosecutors carry out this improper tactic and are genuinely interested in the truth, we are ready and waiting with the facts and the law.”

Lowell added, “Investigating the fraud case Attorney General James won against President Trump and his businesses has to be the most blatant and desperate example of this administration carrying out the president’s political retribution campaign.

Weaponising the Department of Justice to try to punish an elected official for doing her job is an attack on the rule of law and a dangerous escalation by this administration.”

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