New York Attorney General Letitia James said she is focused on securing the Democratic nomination for Vice President Kamala Harris and then helping her beat Republican Donald Trump in November.
James—who secured victory in her civil fraud lawsuit against Trump earlier this year—said it was important that voters understand the “existential threat” that Trump represents during an appearance on MSNBC‘s The ReidOut on Tuesday.
Asked if she would consider a role in a potential Harris administration, she told Joy Reid: “I’m focused at this point in time on securing the nomination for Vice President Harris, and then ultimately getting her elected. That is my singular focus at this point in time, and continuing to stand up for the rule of law and representing the citizens of the great state of New York, as we do each and every day.”
James’ office and the Trump campaign were contacted for comment via email.
James’ comments are likely to fuel Trump’s claims that James has a political vendetta against him. He has repeatedly accused her of leading a “witch hunt” against him since she sued him over allegations that he inflated his wealth on financial statements for years to dupe banks, insurers and others.
In February, Judge Arthur Engoron ordered Trump to pay $355 million in penalties, but with interest added, the total that Trump owes has grown to more than $470 million.
On Monday, the former president urged an appeals court to overturn the hefty judgement. His lawyers argued in a court filing that if the judge’s decision is upheld, it would give James “limitless power to target anyone she desires, including her self-described political opponents,” The Associated Press reported.
A spokesperson for James’ office said: “We won this case based on the facts and the law, and we are confident we will prevail on appeal.”
On The ReidOut, James said that Republicans are “running very scared” after President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 race and threw his support behind Harris. She quickly secured the support of enough Democratic delegates to become her party’s expected nominee. If Democrats nominate her at their convention next month, she would be the first woman of color—Harris is of Black and South Asian descent—to top a major party’s ticket.
She condemned Republicans attacking Harris as a “DEI hire,” saying that “they have nothing else other than racism and sexism.”
Harris, she said, is “overqualified” to be president.
“Oftentimes she’s underestimated, but she’s an overachiever,” she said. “And that’s why I have wholeheartedly endorsed her.”
Harris “is a woman who has the receipts and has been in a position to—the best position to go after Donald Trump and to defend the values that we hold so dear, most importantly, reproductive rights,” she added.
Trump, on the other hand, is “an individual who will stoop to certain lows to achieve his objective,” she said. “He’s not concerned about the rule of law, not concerned about the interest of working class people in this country, not concerned about uniting us. It’s all about how he can benefit himself and his family. And that’s why all of us, all of us, must march to the polls in quiet dignity and vote, because there’s so much at stake.
“It’s really critically important that individuals understand that he represents an existential threat to all that we believe in. That’s why we must stand together and elect Vice President Harris.”
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
