New York AG denounces Trump comments as ‘race-baiting’

New York Attorney General Letitia James (D) described former President Trump’s social media attacks against her as “race-baiting” on Wednesday, as Trump faces trial on business fraud charges in New York this week.

Trump has repeatedly called James a “racist” in Truth Social posts about the case. He has also focused attacks against Judge Arthur Engoron and one of his clerks, resulting in a Tuesday gag order that limits what Trump can say publicly about the case.

“Trump’s comments were offensive. They were baseless. They were void of any facts or any evidence,” James said to reporters Wednesday. “What they were, were comments that have unfortunately fomented violence. Comments that I would describe as race-baiting. Comments, unfortunately, that speak to the very bottom of our humanity.”

In a post later Wednesday, Trump again called James “racist” and accused her of prosecutorial malpractice in her case against him. 

“This is yet another Witch Hunt for purposes of Election Interference. Letitia is a Dirty Cop who is driving business out of New York in record numbers,” he said. “She should be Impeached for falsification of documents, Mar-a-Lago value being a prime example.”

Wednesday was the third day of the trial against Trump. Prosecutors argue Trump and his adult sons committed business fraud by purposely inflating and deflating the value of their assets to get better deals on loans and insurance. 

Engoron ruled last week that Trump did commit fraud, and the trial is set to determine damages.

James on Wednesday defended her decision to bring the case.

“This case was brought simply because it was a case where individuals have engaged in a pattern and practice of fraud. And I will not sit idly by and allow anyone to subvert the law,” she said.

Trump was in the courtroom for the first two days of his trial Monday and Tuesday, but he was not present Wednesday. 

“And lastly, I will not be bullied,” James continued. “Mr. Trump is no longer here. The Donald Trump show is over. This was nothing more than a political stunt.”