November 6th, 2024
In a press conference on Wednesday, New York State Attorney General Letitia James congratulated President-elect Donald Trump on his return to the White House, while warning that her office will be vigilant in protecting New Yorkers’ rights against any potential overreach from his administration. This message underscored a commitment from James and other Democratic attorneys general to act as “guardians of the law” in the face of what she described as potential threats to civil liberties and social programs under Trump’s new administration.
James has had a long-standing contentious relationship with Trump, who she has frequently criticized and pursued legally. In 2018, James campaigned on a promise to hold then-President Trump accountable, and earlier this year, she successfully won a high-profile civil fraud case against Trump and executives of the Trump Organization. New York State Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron found Trump and his two sons guilty of overvaluing their assets, leading to a fine of $464 million and a three-year ban on Trump serving as a director for any New York organization.
Following Trump’s election victory, James emphasized that her office was prepared to challenge any policies or actions they view as unconstitutional or harmful to New Yorkers. “I congratulate the president-elect, Donald Trump,” she said. “And if possible, we will work with his administration. But we will not compromise our values or our integrity or our principles.”
James’s remarks also focused on Project 2025, a sweeping policy document prepared by the conservative Heritage Foundation that details proposals for the next Republican president, including plans to expand presidential authority and restructure federal departments. James pointedly referenced her readiness to counter any elements of Project 2025 that could impact her state, particularly policies that target agencies like the Department of Education and Department of Homeland Security, both of which the Heritage Foundation’s document recommends dismantling or restructuring.
“We’ve created contingency plans,” she announced. “No matter what the next administration throws at us, we’re ready. We’re ready to respond to their attacks. We’re ready to respond to any attempts to cut or eliminate any funding to the great state of New York.”
James’s statements reflected a broader stance taken by Democratic attorneys general who have pledged to remain vigilant and challenge any policies they believe could infringe upon state rights or civil protections. James affirmed, “We will continue to stand tall in the face of injustice, revenge, or retribution.”
Background of Legal Tensions
James’s ongoing legal challenges against Trump have often placed her at odds with the former president, who previously criticized her on his social media platform, Truth Social, describing her as “the WORST Attorney General in the U.S.” In the same post, he pledged to “MAKE NEW YORK GREAT AGAIN” once he took office. In response, James has doubled down on her commitment to uphold the rule of law in New York and maintain her office’s independence.
Preparing for Challenges Ahead
As President Trump prepares to usher in a new wave of conservative reforms, James’s office is already developing strategies to counter potential federal policies that might conflict with state laws or priorities. “We will not back down,” James said. “We stand as defenders of New York’s rights and resources, ensuring that our communities remain protected from policies that do not align with our values.”
With Trump’s incoming administration poised to implement sweeping changes, James’s message emphasized her readiness to protect her state’s interests and resist any federal attempts that, in her view, could undermine democratic principles or infringe upon state sovereignty.
