“Prepared to Fight Back”: New York AG Letitia James Vows to Stand Firm Against Trump Administration’s Potential Retaliation
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Following Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 presidential election, New York Attorney General Letitia James addressed the possibility of facing retribution from the incoming administration. Speaking to supporters and reporters on Wednesday, James emphasized her readiness to respond to any potential attempts by Trump and his allies to undermine legal protections or target her office for its role in prosecuting Trump.
“We’ve studied their platforms,” James said, indicating that her office, along with other Democratic attorneys general, has been proactive in preparing for potential policy rollbacks or retaliatory measures. “We’ve identified certain possibilities, fact patterns. We’ve created contingency plans.” James stressed that she and her team were prepared for whatever actions the new administration might undertake, stating, “No matter what the next administration throws at us, we’re ready.”
James has been a longstanding critic of Trump and played a central role in the legal proceedings that led to his conviction on 34 felony counts. Aware of the potential consequences, she acknowledged that Republicans could attempt to cut funding for New York as a form of revenge. However, James expressed her commitment to protecting the rights and well-being of New Yorkers regardless of political pressures.
“So despite what has happened on the national stage, we will continue to stand tall in the face of injustice, revenge, or retribution,” she affirmed. “We will continue to protect our most vulnerable and marginalized amongst us.” In her remarks, James sought to reassure New Yorkers, urging them not to succumb to fear. “This is not the time to be fearful, New York, but faithful and steadfast,” she said.
She described herself and her team as “guardians of the law” and emphasized her commitment to uphold justice and protect the public from any political retaliation. “I, as the Attorney General, along with my entire team, are prepared, my friends, to fight back,” she declared. James’ determination to defend New York’s legal rights has resonated with many supporters, particularly in light of her office’s work on high-profile cases targeting powerful figures.
As she reaffirmed her dedication to upholding the rule of law, James underscored the importance of resilience and unity in the face of potential adversity. Her commitment to standing firm has been echoed by other Democratic attorneys general who are similarly bracing for possible confrontations with the Trump administration.
As the nation anticipates Trump’s second term, James’ stance highlights the role state attorneys general may play in countering federal policies they see as threatening individual or state rights. For James, the responsibility to protect New Yorkers remains paramount, and her preparations reflect a readiness to confront legal battles on multiple fronts if necessary.
With her pledge to remain “faithful and steadfast,” Letitia James has positioned herself as a key figure in the opposition, prepared to uphold New York’s values and legal protections despite potential challenges from Washington. Her message underscores a broader commitment among Democratic state leaders to defend against any perceived erosion of rights, signaling a likely continuation of legal and political resistance at the state level.
