• Letitia James pleads not guilty to bank fraud and false statements charges.
• The charges stem from an alleged misrepresentation during a property mortgage application.
• James claims the prosecution is a tool of political vengeance by Donald Trump.
• A trial date has been set for January 26, 2026.
• This case is one of several targeting Trump critics including James Comey and John Bolton.

New York Attorney General Letitia James, a well-known opponent of former President Donald Trump, pleaded not guilty in federal court on Friday to charges of bank fraud and making false statements related to her mortgage application for a property in Norfolk, Virginia. James, who has been a vocal critic of Trump, faces serious allegations regarding her financial disclosures during the purchase of the home, which she acquired for approximately $137,000 in 2020. Prosecutors assert that she falsely stated the residence would be a second home, enabling her to secure a lower interest rate and save nearly $19,000 over the life of the loan, according to Reuters and HuffPost.

During her arraignment, James characterized the charges as part of Trump's ongoing campaign to use the legal system against his adversaries. "This is not about me. This is about all of us and about a justice system that has been weaponized," she declared outside the courthouse, where she received support from a crowd chanting her name, as reported by South China Morning Post and Al Jazeera.

The legal troubles for James come in the wake of similar actions against other Trump critics, including former FBI Director James Comey and ex-National Security Adviser John Bolton. Both faced indictments within weeks of James, with Comey also pleading not guilty to charges related to his conduct during a congressional investigation. This trend has raised concerns regarding the politicization of the justice system, with many perceiving a direct correlation to Trump's calls for action against his perceived enemies, according to Le Monde.

James' not guilty plea marks a significant moment in her long-standing conflict with Trump, who has publicly pressured U.S. Attorney Pam Bondi to expedite investigations against James and others. Trump has portrayed these cases as necessary efforts to correct what he views as misuse of law enforcement for political gain, according to HuffPost and South China Morning Post.