New York Attorney General Letitia James' office announced on Tuesday that it will not drop its $454 million civil fraud case against Donald Trump despite the president-elect's request to do so. The attorney general's office stated in a letter that "the ordinary burdens of civil litigation do not impede the president's official duties in a way that violates the U.S. Constitution."
Deputy Solicitor General Judith Vale wrote in the letter, which was sent to Trump lawyer D. John Sauer, that his request to have the case dropped presented "no basis" for the attorney general's office to do so.
The letter further stated that the judgment "does not concern any conduct related to Mr. Trump's first term as president. Nor does it implicate any conduct that Mr. Trump might undertake after his upcoming inauguration."
The New York attorney general's office continued that "presidents do not have immunity from civil lawsuits arising from unofficial conduct, and such lawsuits may proceed while the president is in office."
James sued Trump in 2022 and took him to trial last year, according to The Hill. A judge in New York ruled that Trump and his business conspired to change his net worth for tax and insurance benefits after previously finding them liable for fraud.
Trump, who has appealed the ruling, called for James last month after the election to drop the case "for the greater good of the country."
Trump, the Trump Organization, and its top executives now owe more than $497 million with interest, which has continued to accrue while they appeal.
Brian Freeman ✉
Brian Freeman, a Newsmax writer based in Israel, has more than three decades writing and editing about culture and politics for newspapers, online and television.
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