New York State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie issued a statement criticizing the Trump administration’s actions regarding the prosecution of New York Attorney General Letitia James. Heastie alleged that President Trump, after career prosecutors chose not to pursue charges against James, directed a U.S. attorney loyal to him to continue the case.
Heastie said, “The Trump administration’s never-ending quest to pervert our justice system continues. When career prosecutors declined to pursue charges against N.Y. Attorney General Letitia James, President Trump turned to his loyal aid serving as U.S. attorney to carry out his mission to continue to weaponize our justice system. His comments and actions regarding this matter are far beneath the dignity of the Office of the President of the United States and are nothing more than political retribution for his own fraud conviction.”
Heastie further stated, “This is truly a sad day in our country’s history. The ongoing weaponization of the DOJ is a direct threat to our democracy. I urge everyone – regardless of political affiliation – to stand up for our country’s laws and rules, and demand an end to this cheap and vindictive prosecution.”
The Speaker’s remarks come amid ongoing national debate about the role of the Department of Justice and the independence of legal proceedings involving public officials.
