Executive Summary
- New York Attorney General Letitia James was indicted on charges of bank fraud and making false statements to a financial institution.
- US Attorney Lindsey Halligan secured the indictment without coordinating with Attorney General Pam Bondi or other Justice Department leaders, surprising them.
- The charges against James proceed despite internal reservations about the case’s strength and are understood to be part of the Justice Department’s efforts against perceived political opponents of President Donald Trump.
The Story So Far
- The indictment of New York Attorney General Letitia James is understood to be part of the Justice Department’s broader efforts to pursue charges against individuals perceived as political opponents of President Donald Trump. This action proceeded despite internal reservations from Attorney General Pam Bondi and other senior officials who viewed the case as weak, and it highlights a significant lack of coordination within the department, as US Attorney Lindsey Halligan acted without consulting Justice Department leadership.
Why This Matters
- The indictment of New York Attorney General Letitia James, pursued by a US Attorney without the knowledge or support of Justice Department leadership who reportedly deemed the case weak, highlights significant internal division and raises concerns about the politicization of the justice system, especially as it targets a perceived political opponent of President Donald Trump.
Who Thinks What?
- US Attorney Lindsey Halligan secured an indictment against New York Attorney General Letitia James on charges of bank fraud and making false statements, proceeding with the case alone before the grand jury despite internal reservations and without coordinating with higher Justice Department officials.
- Attorney General Pam Bondi, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, former US Attorney Erik Siebert, and career lawyers within the Eastern District of Virginia reportedly viewed the case against Letitia James as weak and were surprised by the indictment due to Halligan’s lack of coordination.
- Justice Department spokesman Chad Gilmartin stated that the department empowers its US attorneys to pursue justice and is united as one team, while declining to discuss grand jury matters.
US Attorney Lindsey Halligan secured an indictment against New York Attorney General Letitia James on Thursday, October 10, 2025, on charges of bank fraud and making false statements to a financial institution. The indictment, obtained from a grand jury in Alexandria, Virginia, reportedly caught Attorney General Pam Bondi and other Justice Department leaders off guard, as Halligan did not coordinate with them regarding the timing or presentation of the case.
According to CNN, sources familiar with the events indicated that Attorney General Bondi was surprised by the development. Halligan, who has been leading the Eastern District of Virginia for just over two weeks, did not inform or consult with Bondi or other Justice Department officials in Washington, D.C., before presenting the case.
The grand jury indicted Attorney General James on two specific charges: bank fraud and making false statements to a financial institution. This action is understood to be part of the Justice Department’s broader efforts to pursue charges against individuals perceived as political opponents of President Donald Trump.
Previously, Attorney General Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche had reportedly viewed the case against James as weak. This assessment aligned with advice from former US Attorney Erik Siebert and career lawyers within the Eastern District of Virginia.
Despite these internal reservations, Halligan had informed some individuals, including at least one Justice Department official, of her intent to proceed with the charges. She presented the case alone before the grand jury in Alexandria, Virginia, although the case is expected to be heard in Norfolk, Virginia.
Justice Department spokesman Chad Gilmartin issued a statement, saying, “As a matter of law, we will not discuss any grand jury matters with the media, but this Justice Department is united as one team in our mission to make America safe again and the attorney general, deputy attorney general, along with the entire team at Main Justice continue to empower our US attorneys to pursue justice in every case.”
Key Developments
The indictment of New York Attorney General Letitia James by US Attorney Lindsey Halligan highlights a lack of coordination within the Justice Department’s leadership. The charges of bank fraud and making false statements to a financial institution proceed despite internal concerns regarding the case’s strength, marking a notable development in the department’s ongoing legal actions.
