The New York Attorney General’s Office has firmly rejected President-elect Donald Trump’s request to dismiss a multimillion-dollar civil fraud case against him. The case, initiated by New York Attorney General Letitia James, has been the subject of a protracted legal battle, and Trump’s legal team argued that it should be thrown out. However, Deputy Solicitor General Judith Vale, representing James’s office, responded that there is no legal foundation for such a dismissal, and the ongoing litigation would not interfere with Trump’s official duties as president-elect.
In a letter addressed to Trump’s attorney, D. John Sauer, Vale made it clear that Trump’s demand to drop the case lacked merit. She emphasized that the regular demands of civil litigation did not present any constitutional conflict with Trump’s role as President-elect.
“The ordinary burdens of civil litigation do not impede the President’s official duties in a way that violates the U.S. Constitution,” Vale wrote,
Asserting that the legal proceedings could continue without interfering with Trump’s ability to assume his presidential duties.The ongoing case stems from allegations that Trump and his company, the Trump Organization, engaged in fraudulent activities by misrepresenting the value of assets for tax and insurance benefits. The case dates back to 2022 when James filed a lawsuit accusing Trump and his associates of inflating the company’s net worth. A New York judge ruled in favor of the state, finding Trump and his company guilty of fraud. As a result, the court imposed a financial judgment, ordering Trump and the Trump Organization to pay $464 million, plus interest. Since then, the amount owed has grown to over $497 million, with interest continuing to accrue as Trump and his legal team appeal the judgment.
Trump’s legal team had hoped to convince the court to dismiss the case, citing his election victory and the notion that the burdens of litigation would be overly disruptive to his new responsibilities as President. In a letter to James’s office last month, Sauer pointed to the dismissal of criminal charges against Trump by special counsel Jack Smith and argued that Trump’s various legal challenges should be considered when assessing the civil fraud case. Sauer also referred to the ongoing consideration of a hush money conviction in New York, seeking to highlight Trump’s broader legal woes.
However, Vale shot down this line of argument, clarifying that the civil case against Trump was distinct from the criminal cases and therefore irrelevant to the current matter. She further pointed out that Trump’s other legal battles, including the criminal cases and any potential charges related to the hush money payments, had no bearing on the civil fraud case. “This case is civil, not criminal,” Vale wrote, making it clear that the legal complexities surrounding Trump’s criminal charges would not impact the civil fraud proceedings.
In a broader context, New York Attorney General Letitia James has made it clear that her office is prepared to continue pursuing legal action against Trump, regardless of his political success. Following Trump’s election victory, James expressed her determination to see the legal process through, stating that she would “continue to stand tall in the face of injustice, revenge, retribution.” Her words seemed to signal that the legal battle against Trump would persist into his presidential term, as she emphasized the importance of holding individuals accountable for unlawful actions.
Sauer, however, has argued that dismissing the case would help heal partisan divisions following Trump’s election. He suggested that continuing with the case would only exacerbate existing tensions, adding to the political strife that has marked much of Trump’s career. Despite these claims, Vale and the New York Attorney General’s office have stood firm, underscoring that the pursuit of justice and the accountability of businesses and individuals engaged in fraudulent activities are paramount, regardless of the political context.
As it stands, Trump, the Trump Organization, and key executives including his sons, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump remain on the hook for a significant financial judgment. With the appeals process ongoing, the case is likely to continue making headlines, particularly as Trump prepares to take office in the coming months. The outcome of this legal battle could have major implications not just for Trump’s personal finances, but also for the Trump Organization and its ongoing operations.
