DOJ Launches Grand Jury Probe Into Letitia James Over Trump Civil Case
August 2025 — Washington, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Justice has reportedly convened a grand jury to investigate potential misconduct by New York Attorney General Letitia James in connection with her office’s high-profile civil fraud case against former President Donald Trump.
According to multiple sources familiar with the matter, the investigation is focused on whether James or members of her office may have overstepped legal or ethical boundaries during the multi-year probe that led to a landmark judgment against Trump and the Trump Organization earlier this year.
The case, originally filed in 2022, resulted in a New York judge ruling that Trump and his company were liable for persistent and significant financial misrepresentations. The ruling imposed hundreds of millions in penalties and temporarily barred Trump from operating businesses in the state.
While the DOJ has not issued a formal statement, individuals close to the investigation say the grand jury was impaneled in July in the Southern District of New York. Subpoenas have reportedly been issued to current and former employees of the New York Attorney General’s Office, including those who worked directly on the Trump investigation.
Allegations of Political Motivation
The probe appears to be, in part, responding to allegations from Trump’s legal team and political allies that James pursued the civil case with political intent. Trump has repeatedly accused James — a Democrat and frequent critic of his administration — of conducting a “witch hunt” aimed at damaging him politically as he campaigns for the 2024 presidential election.
In a post on Truth Social following reports of the grand jury, Trump wrote:
“Letitia James is finally being investigated for the corrupt and disgusting way she targeted me, my family, and my business. TOTAL VINDICATION!”
James, however, has consistently defended the integrity of the case and dismissed accusations of bias.
“No one is above the law — not even a former president,” she said in a statement earlier this year. “This case was based on facts, evidence, and years of investigative work.”
Her office declined to comment on the ongoing DOJ investigation.
Legal Experts Urge Caution
Legal analysts are urging caution and context, noting that grand jury investigations are preliminary and do not necessarily indicate wrongdoing. The DOJ’s inquiry does not mean charges will follow, and such investigations often explore broad questions before narrowing their focus.
“This is a politically charged case no matter how you view it,” said Maya Greene, a constitutional law professor at Georgetown University. “But opening a grand jury proceeding does not mean that Letitia James will be indicted. It’s the first step in a fact-finding process.”
Greene added that for the DOJ to pursue formal charges against a sitting state attorney general, it would require “clear and compelling evidence” of wrongdoing.
Political Reactions
The development has already sent ripples through Washington and New York political circles. Congressional Republicans, many of whom have aligned themselves with Trump, have praised the investigation as a long-overdue review of what they see as partisan lawfare.
“Letitia James has weaponized the legal system against President Trump for years,” said Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY). “This DOJ probe is a step toward accountability.”
Democratic lawmakers, meanwhile, have characterized the investigation as politically motivated and retaliatory.
“This reeks of election-year intimidation,” said Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY). “Letitia James did her job. If the DOJ is being used to punish state officials for doing theirs, that’s a dangerous precedent.”
What Comes Next
The grand jury proceedings are expected to remain secret unless indictments are issued or witnesses publicly disclose their testimony. It’s unclear how long the investigation will last, though legal observers say it could stretch into early 2026.
Letitia James, who is serving her second term as New York attorney general, has not publicly announced whether she will seek higher office. Despite the political firestorm, she continues to pursue several other high-profile cases, including lawsuits against large tech companies and opioid manufacturers.
Share this content: