NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — New York Attorney General Letitia James (D) entered a not guilty plea during an arraignment in Norfolk federal court Friday morning.
James exited the courthouse at 11:45 a.m. and held a press conference about the case. She first thanked those who have supported her.
“This is not about me. This is about all of us and about a justice system that has been weaponized. A justice system which has been used as a tool of revenge,” she told the crowd gathered.
James was in court on mortgage fraud charges. A federal grand jury indicted James earlier this month. The case centers around a home in Norfolk. She’s accused of buying the home in 2020 with the understanding that she was the sole person to live there.
Prosecutors allege that James instead used the home as a rental property, which they say would save her money on the loan.
She is facing two counts: bank fraud and false statements to a financial institution.
Another hearing has been scheduled for Dec. 17 to discuss a motion filed to dismiss the charges altogether. And the trial date was set for Jan. 26, 2026.
On Thursday, James’ attorneys said they formally planned to ask the judge overseeing the case to dismiss the charges Friday. In a 2-page filing, her attorneys asked for dismissal on the basis that U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan, they say, was unlawfully installed.
The motion, filed Friday, states, in summary:
“Attorney General Letitia A. James, by and through undersigned counsel, pursuant to
Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 12(b) moves this Court to dismiss the Government’s
indictment because purported interim U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan had no authority to bring
the charges in this case. As explained further below, Ms. Halligan’s purported appointment as
interim U.S. Attorney was invalid under 28 U.S.C § 546 and in violation of the Appointments
Clause of the United States Constitution.”Click here to read the full motion and memorandum to dismiss the indictment.
This was the scene Friday morning. The case has brought media from across the nation to Norfolk.
There was also a crowd of protestors on both sides that gathered outside the courthouse Friday. Jeanne Robinson from Richmond SEIU VA 512 said she was there because she feels James is being wrongly targeted, “Because of her position, her views. She doesn’t agree with everything, and maybe also race. We are here to support her and say we stick together.”
Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney Ramin Fatehi was at the courthouse on Friday. He spoke with WAVY after the arraignment. “What I can tell you is that Attorney General James has one of the finest defense lawyers in America working for her,” he said. “I expect them to file a series of motions challenging the validity of this case, and I have full confidence in the judiciary and Norfolk’s federal juries to come to the right conclusion.”
Parts of Granby Street and East and West Bute Street near the Hoffman Federal Courthouse was closed under police control from 5 a.m. until 1 p.m. Friday because of this high-profile case. Motorists and pedestrians were encouraged to use Boush Street as an alternate route during that time frame.
As The Hill has reported, James is among a handful of Trump foes targeted by the Federal Housing Finance Agency with criminal referrals to face charges. She’s the second Trump rival to face charges.
President Trump posted about James on Truth Social just days before she was charged. In the post, he referred to James as “corrupt” and “scum” and called for her to be removed from the New York attorney general’s office.
New York Attorney General (D) Letitia James addressed the public after Friday’s hearing at the Norfolk Federal Courthouse during which she pleaded not guilty to two charges. WAVY live streamed the press conference. You can watch a replay in the player above.