The U.S. Justice Department has issued subpoenas to New York Attorney General Letitia James as part of a probe into whether her office violated President Donald Trump’s civil rights, according to sources familiar with the matter, as reported by AP News on August 8, 2025. The investigation, led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York, focuses on James’ civil fraud lawsuit against Trump, which resulted in a penalty exceeding $500 million, and her case against the National Rifle Association. The subpoenas mark a significant escalation in the Trump administration’s scrutiny of officials who have pursued legal action against the president.
James, a prominent Democrat, won a landmark civil fraud case against Trump in 2024, accusing him of inflating property values to secure favorable loans and insurance deals. The trial, overseen by Judge Arthur Engoron, ordered Trump and his organization to pay $364 million in disgorgement, a figure that has grown to over $500 million with interest, per The New York Times. The case is currently under appeal. A spokesperson for James called the subpoenas “weaponization of the justice system,” echoing Trump’s past criticisms of her actions, per ABC7 New York. “Any weaponization of the justice system should disturb every American,” the spokesperson added, affirming James’ commitment to defending her office’s litigation.
The Justice Department’s investigation is examining whether James’ actions constituted a “deprivation of rights” under federal law, which criminalizes the misuse of law enforcement authority to violate constitutional protections, per CNN. Abbe Lowell, James’ attorney, condemned the probe, stating, “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’s carrying out the president’s political retribution campaign.” Lowell further described the subpoenas as an “attack on the rule of law,” vowing to counter with facts, per CNN. A grand jury has been convened in Albany to review the matter, per Fox News.
Key points of the Justice Department’s investigation include:
- Subpoenas Issued: Target James’ civil fraud case against Trump and NRA litigation.
- Civil Rights Focus: Probes potential violation of Trump’s constitutional rights.
- Grand Jury Active: Convened in Albany to assess evidence, per sources.
The subpoenas are distinct from a separate FBI investigation into James’ personal real estate transactions, confirmed earlier in 2025 by FBI Director Kash Patel, though its status remains unclear, per The New York Times. James’ office remains steadfast, asserting, “We stand strongly behind our successful litigation against the Trump Organization and the National Rifle Association, and we will continue to stand up for New Yorkers’ rights,” per ABC7 New York. As the investigation unfolds, it underscores the ongoing legal tensions between Trump and his adversaries.
Sources: AP News, The New York Times, ABC7 New York, CNN, Fox News
