Letitia James vows to continue fighting Trump’s policies after indictment
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New York Attorney General Letitia James on Monday evening rallied behind Democratic New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani and pledged to continue fighting President Donald Trump’s “aggressive policies” in her first public appearance since she was indicted on fraud charges.
With three weeks until Election Day, the “Our Time Has Come” rally in Washington Heights highlighted how New Yorkers are uniting behind James as she faces federal charges. Mamdani was joined by James, Reps. Nydia Velázquez and Adriana Espaillat, and New York City Council member Chi Ossé.
“Thank you to New York Attorney General Tish James,” Mamdani said. “For years, you have fought the good fight for New Yorkers, and now it’s time to fight for you.”
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Lindsey Halligan announced Thursday that a federal grand jury indicted James for bank fraud and making false statements to financial institutions.
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New York Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, left, greets New York Attorney General Letitia James during a rally in Washington Heights on October 13, 2025. (Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty Images)
“I know what it feels like to be attacked just for doing his job,” James said Monday. “I also know what it feels like to overcome adversity, that’s why I stand on a solid rock and I will not bow. I will not break. I will not bend. I will not capitulate. I will not give in. I will not give up.”
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Mamdani’s rally was James’ first public appearance since she was indicted last week. The attorney general supported Mamdani and joined him in the election campaign this year.
“Are you coming for me? You’re coming for all of us!” » James shouted to the cheers of the Washington Heights crowd. According to the Mamdani campaign, 3,000 supporters attended the rally.
Jacques dismissed the indictment as “nothing more than a continuation of the President’s desperate weaponization of our justice system,” calling the “President’s actions” a violation of the constitutional order.
“I will continue to fight for justice,” James promised Monday. “I will continue to fight for New Yorkers. I will continue to fight against the aggressive policies of Washington, DC. And I will not stop. I will not give up, and I will not give in.”
President Donald Trump gestures to a reporter in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, September 30, 2025. (Alex Brandon/AP)
As attorney general of New York, James filed a civil fraud suit against Trump and the Trump Organization, accusing them of inflating asset values and net worth to secure loans and insurance terms. A New York judge found Trump and his company liable for fraud.
“We don’t have time to dwell and we focus on pettiness and revenge,” James said. “We must continue, move forward, continue the journey, claim victory. Overcome fear and courage. Courage, my friend, is resistance to fear. And so I fear no man. I see the courage that is embodied in Zohran.”
Mamdani joined fellow New York Democrats Friday in condemning James’ indictment, calling it “an attack on our city.”
“We speak with a voice that recognizes that we stand in front of the same courthouse where Attorney General Tish James did her job, upholding the law and holding Donald Trump accountable,” Mamdani said.
James said Monday that she is supporting Mamdani for mayor because he is committed to fighting for a better New York.
New York Attorney General Letitia James and New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani embrace during a campaign rally at the United Palace in New York, Monday, October 13, 2025. (Christian Monterrosa/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
“Like me, he knows what it’s like to be attacked, to be insulted, threatened, harassed,” James said. “And every day he wakes up with this fire in his belly because he wants to build a better New York,” James said.
While Mamdani identifies as a self-styled democratic socialist, Trump has called him a “communist” since securing the Democratic nomination for mayor of New York. Mamdani vowed to fight Trump’s agenda in New York if elected, while the the president has teased cut off federal funding to New York City if Mamdani doesn’t “behave” if elected.
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While Mayor Eric Adams suspended his re-election campaign last month, New Yorkers will elect a new mayor on November 4. Mamdani emerged as the front-runner ahead of former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, an independent candidate, and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa.
“Comrade Mamdani’s choice of guests matches his policy proposals: evil and deranged,” White House Press Secretary Abigail Jackson told Fox News Digital.
