Trump Files Lawsuit Against New York AG
Facts
- On Wednesday, former Pres. Donald Trump filed a lawsuit in a Florida state court against New York Attorney General Letitia James in an attempt to block her from obtaining records belonging to the trust that owns the Trump Organization.
- The lawsuit claims that James' $250M civil investigation into alleged illegal business practices by Trump's company is part of a "war of intimidation and harassment" and a "plot to obtain control" of his organization and wealth.
- As part of her lawsuit, James previously requested an injunction to block Trump from what she says is fraudulently moving assets around to "evade liability," which is why she's seeking access to the trust.
- On Thursday, a judge granted James' injunction, ruling that the Trump Organization is now restricted in how it moves and reports its business assets. An independent monitor was also assigned to oversee the company's practices.
- Trump also argues that James' investigation violates his right to privacy, saying that the "right to privacy guaranteed by the Florida Constitution protects the disclosure of financial information of private persons if there is no relevant or compelling reason to require disclosure."
- While Trump says James' lawsuit wouldn't be happening if he "were not elected President, and now leading in the polls," a spokesperson for James’ office noted that Trump’s previous two efforts to end the investigation were rejected.
Sources: CNN, Business Insider, Washington Times, Forbes, Newsweek, and New York Post.
Narratives
- Democratic narrative, as provided by Newsweek. Donald Trump's desperate attempts to block this investigation have failed multiple times already, and now he's humiliating himself again by thinking a local Florida court has jurisdiction over the NY Attorney General. Trump's charade must come to an end.
- Pro-Trump narrative, as provided by Newsmax. As the Attorney General of a state dealing with record-breaking violent crime, James' obsession with Trump shows just how corrupt she is. While New Yorkers watch her do nothing to protect them from the real criminals, James is spending her time engaged in a fishing expedition against a former president who doesn't even live in her state anymore.