NJ attorney general joins call to halt federal probe of NY’s Letitia James
Trenton, NJ – New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin joined 20 of his counterparts across the country Thursday in signing an open letter condemning what they describe as a politically motivated federal investigation into New York Attorney General Letitia James.
The letter, released publicly, accuses the U.S. Department of Justice of launching a retaliatory investigation against James in response to her legal actions targeting former President Donald Trump. The attorneys general called the probe “a disturbing perversion of justice” and an attempt to weaponize federal law enforcement for political gain.
Platkin, a Democrat, directly criticized the DOJ’s conduct under the leadership of Edward R. Martin Jr., who heads the department’s “Weaponization Working Group” and is overseeing the inquiry into James. According to the letter, Martin’s tactics represent a pattern of harassment and intimidation, not a legitimate investigation based on evidence or law.
The coalition letter warns that such federal action threatens the foundation of the rule of law by turning the government’s prosecutorial powers into instruments of personal vengeance. The attorneys general called on the DOJ to immediately halt the investigation and urged other public officials to oppose what they describe as an authoritarian abuse of authority.
Letitia James, who has pursued several high-profile legal actions involving Trump and his businesses, has not been formally charged with any wrongdoing. The coalition of attorneys general described her as a dedicated public servant carrying out her duties in accordance with state law.
The Department of Justice has not issued a public response to the letter or confirmed details of the investigation.
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Key Points
- NJ Attorney General Matthew Platkin joined 20 other AGs in denouncing a DOJ probe into NY AG Letitia James
- The letter accuses the investigation of being politically driven and aimed at intimidating James
- Attorneys general urged the federal government to cease actions they call retaliatory and abusive
State attorneys general say the DOJ has crossed a dangerous line in what they call a political hit job on Letitia James.
