This sketch depicts the interior of a Norfolk, Virginia courtroom on Friday, October 24, 2025, during the arraignment of New York Attorney General Letitia James. Christine Cornell
Based on data from CNN
Norfolk, Virginia – New York Attorney General Letitia James is preparing for a trial at the end of January on charges of bank fraud and making false statements to a financial institution – unless the case is fully dismissed in advance.
James was arrested Friday morning in federal court in Norfolk, where she pleaded not guilty to both charges brought by the prosecutor, whom President Donald Trump appointed to the position after complaints that the investigations into his political opponents were not moving quickly enough.
«There is no fear today, there is no fear,» Letitia James said outside the courthouse as protesters shouted nearby.
«For I believe that justice will flow like water, and righteousness like a mighty stream.»
Although there is a chance that James will not attend the January 26 court hearing: her lawyers warned on Thursday and Friday of the intention to attempt to dismiss the case on several grounds in the coming months.
What You Should Know
James’s lawyers told federal Judge Jamaru Walker of the intention to challenge the legality of the appointment of Lindsey Halligan, the interim Northern Virginia prosecutor who brought the charges.
This recalls a similar case involving former FBI Director James Comey: Comey, who denies charges of lying under oath to Congress, is also one of Trump’s political opponents against whom Halligan has brought charges.
Halligan was appointed after Trump fired the previous interim prosecutor Eric Zaiber. Comey’s team contends that Zaiber had already served the maximum 120 days as interim prosecutor without Senate confirmation.
In earlier court filings, Comey’s lawyers argued that appointing Halligan after the 120-day term ended meant that Trump had no lawful right to appoint a new interim prosecutor without Senate confirmation. They called this a scheme to circumvent Congress’s role in the confirmation process.
To be considered, a judge from South Carolina, Cameron McGowan Currie, has been brought in to hear Halligan’s matter, and James’s motion will be included in this dossier due to identical legal issues.
«The main portion of the motions concerns the disciplinary-law aspects: was Halligan’s appointment lawful?»
If James and Comey can convince the judge that Halligan was unlawfully appointed, it could affect both cases, since Halligan signed the indictment.
In addition, James’s team is considering other avenues to challenge the charges before trial.
According to the preliminary schedule, motions for selective or vindictive prosecution must be filed by November 7, prosecutors have until November 21 to respond, and a hearing on this motion is scheduled for December 5. Additional motions after November 17 will be considered on December 17.
«Nothing is being done. And what about Comey, Adam ‘Shifty’ Schiff, Letitia??? They’re all criminal as hell»
All of these steps are shaping a long-running legal battle over appointments, charges, and the upcoming trial. Expect further moves by both sides and new motions in the coming weeks, as both cases could change depending on the court’s rulings on the legality of the appointments and the procedural process.
We recommend paying attention to:
- Virginia federal prosecutor Beth Yusi questioned mortgage fraud cases against Letitia James and sent investigation materials to her personal email, raising concerns over data use and DOJ policies.
- New York Attorney General Letitia James plans to move to dismiss charges citing the controversial appointment of U.S. Attorney Lindsay Halligan by former President Trump.
- New York Attorney General Letitia James faces charges for alleged false statements on a mortgage application, accused of securing favorable loan terms through deception.
