Letitia James could use state funds for Trump lawsuit fees under Hochul budget
New York Attorney General Letitia James may utilize state funds for her legal defence against the Trump administration, following a provision in Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul’s proposed state budget. The budget allocates $10 million for legal defense for elected officials if their cases arise from their official duties. The New York Senate is expected to approve the bill shortly.
James faces allegations of mortgage fraud related to properties in Virginia and New York, which President Trump claims warrants her resignation. James’s attorney argues thes claims are politically motivated retaliation for her civil case against Trump. A spokesperson for James indicated she plans to use both public and private funds for her defense.
The proposal has drawn criticism from New York GOP Chair Ed Cox,who described the situation as blatant corruption,claiming taxpayers should not be responsible for funding James’s legal battles.Meanwhile, Hochul’s budget, totaling $254 billion, has faced scrutiny for being late. Democratic state Senator James Skoufis criticized Hochul’s leadership in managing the budget, which he feels reflects an inability to govern competently. Hochul’s press secretary responded negatively to these criticisms, framing them as politically motivated.
Letitia James could use state funds for Trump lawsuit fees under Hochul budget proposal
New York Attorney General Letitia James could use state funds for her defense against the Trump administration due to a new legal fund for elected officials spelled out in Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul’s proposed state budget.
The budget language provides $10 million for elected officials in New York to use for legal defense if the case is in response to carrying out their duties. The bill is expected to be voted on late Thursday into Friday, and will pass, a New York Senate source told the Washington Examiner.
“Just a matter of when,” they said.
James was referred for prosecution in mid-April for alleged mortgage fraud relating to her Virginia home and a New York property. President Donald Trump said James should resign before the referral. James’s attorney, Abbe Lowell, says the mortgage fraud claims are “political retribution” against James for her civil fraud suit against Trump.
“Donald Trump promised a vicious revenge tour when he ran in 2024, and he’s put Attorney General James at the top of his list, and we’re ready to respond to these attacks,” a spokesperson for James told Fox News Digital on Wednesday.
He added that James plans to use both private and public state funds for her defense.
New York GOP Chair Ed Cox told the New York Post that “this is what corruption looks like in plain sight.”
“This is what corruption looks like in plain sight: political insiders rigging the system to protect their own, while hardworking families get shortchanged,” he said in a statement.
“Tish James used her office to wage partisan lawfare against her political opponents, and now New Yorkers are footing the bill for the consequences,” he added.
Hochul unveiled her $254 billion state budget last week. She had been dealing with Democrats in the state legislature and finally came to a deal after several weeks of enduring scrutiny over a late 2026 budget.
“The cost of living is still too damn high, so I promised to put more money in your pockets – and we got it done,” Hochul said in a statement. “Putting nearly $5,000 back in the pockets of families means helping New Yorkers afford the rising costs of groceries, raising kids, and just enjoying life. When I said your family is my fight, I mean it – and I’ll never stop fighting for you.”
Democratic state Sen. James Skoufis blasted Hochul on Wednesday night for the budget’s tardiness.
“This governor seems to think she is a monarch of sorts,” he said. “She seems very empowered with a budget that is 37 days late.”
“The governor has demonstrated an inability to be competent,” he said, explaining that New York residents care about whether the budget is late. “The basis of that caring is they expect competency.”
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Hochul’s press secretary, Avi Small, slammed Skoufis, who represents most of New York’s Orange County, for his public discontent.
“Embarrassing, juvenile stunt from a camera-hungry clown,” Small said in a post on X. “Senator Skoufis will just have to explain to his district why he opposes lower taxes and safer streets. (And why he’s against record school aid. And against millions for parks & highways in his district) Good luck!”
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