Context:

The Department of Justice has initiated a criminal investigation into New York Attorney General Letitia James, focusing on accusations of misrepresenting property details to secure favorable loan terms. Subpoenas have been issued by a grand jury in Virginia, following a referral from the Trump administration's Federal Housing Finance Agency. James' attorney, Abbe Lowell, dismisses the charges as politically motivated, citing a recent public attack by President Trump as an instigating factor. James, a key figure in legal actions against Trump, is accused of listing a Virginia home as her primary residence and inflating the number of livable units in a Brooklyn property. Despite these allegations, Lowell maintains that the discrepancies were unintentional and that other documentation supports James' claims of innocence.

Dive Deeper:

• The Justice Department's investigation into Letitia James involves allegations that she misrepresented a Virginia home as her primary residence, aimed at obtaining better loan terms. This follows a referral from the Trump administration's Federal Housing Finance Agency Director, William Pulte.

• A grand jury in the Eastern District of Virginia has issued subpoenas related to these allegations, suggesting a significant escalation in the investigation against James, who has been a vocal critic of Trump and involved in legal actions against him.

• James' legal team, led by attorney Abbe Lowell, argues that the allegations have been previously discredited and are resurfacing as a form of political retribution by President Trump, who has publicly criticized James.

• The accusations also include claims that James inflated the number of livable units in a Brooklyn property to secure advantageous loan terms. Lowell counters this by stating that updated documentation reflects the property's true status.

• Letitia James has been instrumental in prosecuting Trump, leading to his conviction on charges of falsifying business records. Trump's conviction involved 34 felony counts, resulting in a $350 million penalty, which is currently under appeal.

• Lowell accuses President Trump and his administration of hypocrisy, suggesting that Trump's complaints about the Justice Department being politicized are contradicted by his actions against James.

• James' attorney asserts that any errors regarding property representations were unintentional, and that there is evidence supporting her claims that the Virginia property was not meant to be her primary residence.