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Welcome to The Logoff: President Donald Trump efficiently directed the indictment of one other of his private political enemies, New York state Lawyer Basic Letitia James.
What occurred? James was indicted for financial institution fraud on Thursday in Virginia, the place she owns a trip dwelling. She had been beneath federal investigation for mortgage fraud in reference to that dwelling, however investigators had beforehand been unable to seek out proof that she dedicated against the law.
Why was James indicted? As a result of Donald Trump needed her to be. The previous US legal professional for the Jap District of Virginia declined to convey fees in opposition to James and was pressured out late final month. Subsequently, Trump put in Lindsey Halligan, beforehand his private lawyer, as US legal professional.
Halligan was expressly chosen to focus on Trump enemies; in a September social media put up addressed to Lawyer Basic Pam Bondi, Trump wrote, “What about Comey, Adam ‘Shifty’ Schiff, Leticia??? They’re all responsible as hell, however nothing goes to be executed. … JUSTICE MUST BE SERVED, NOW!!!”
Since then, former FBI director James Comey and Letitia James have each been indicted.
What’s Trump’s historical past with James? In 2022, James sued Trump, three of his youngsters, and his household enterprise on behalf of New York state, alleging widespread fraud; he was discovered responsible by a decide in 2023 and assigned a $500 million penalty, amongst different punishments. The penalty has since been voided and remains to be beneath litigation.
What’s the context? Invoice Pulte, the Federal Housing Finance Company director who has turn into considered one of Trump’s prime assault canines, has helped dredge up flimsy mortgage fraud allegations in opposition to a variety of Trump opponents, together with James, Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA), and Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook dinner.
Trump had tried to make use of these allegations as a pretext to take away Cook dinner from the Fed board, although she has not been criminally charged; at present’s indictment is an alarming escalation in how Trump intends to wield such accusations.
And with that, it’s time to sign off…
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