President Donald Trump unleashed on New York Attorney General Letitia James on Friday, branding his longtime political foe a “real slob” and suggesting that additional legal action against her could still be on the horizon.
Trump made the comments during an appearance before law enforcement officials on Long Island, where the president was touting crime reduction during his second term in the White House.
While discussing New York Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul and her policies, Trump quickly shifted his attention to James, reviving his years-long feud with the Democratic attorney general.
“But the policies of Hochul and the Democrat colleagues, like crooked– oh, she’s the worst,” Trump said. “Is she the worst? Crooked Attorney General Letitia James.”
Trump then escalated his criticism of James, calling her “the most dishonest” and a “real slob.”
The president also referenced legal allegations against James and suggested the matter may not be finished.
“You know, they had her! She got off on a technicality,” Trump said. “They had her, but she got off on a technicality. But let’s see what happens here.”
Trump then recalled James’ previous campaign rhetoric about him, criticizing her for publicly targeting him before she became attorney general.
“Remember when she was campaigning and, ‘We will stop Donald Trump!’” Trump said. “She’s not supposed to say that! She’s the Attorney General!”
Trump said James did not know anything about him at the time but nevertheless campaigned on a pledge to stop him.
“Well, I think I’m– am I here as president?” Trump asked.
The president continued his attack, calling James “a disgrace to law, order, law enforcement.”
“She’s a disgrace,” Trump said. “She’s a dishonest person, very dishonest, very crooked person.”
The bitter feud between Trump and James stretches back several years.
James pursued the Trump Organization over allegations of fraud. Trump maintained that the case against him and his business was politically motivated, but he was ultimately fined more than $300 million.
The legal battle between the two has continued into Trump’s second term.
Since returning to the White House, Trump has repeatedly sought action against James over allegations of mortgage fraud.
However, grand juries have repeatedly declined to indict the New York attorney general on those allegations.
Trump’s Friday comments indicated that he is not ready to put the dispute behind him.
After claiming James had previously escaped legal trouble because of a “technicality,” the president left open the possibility of additional developments, telling the Long Island crowd, “But let’s see what happens here.”
The remarks came as Trump addressed law enforcement officials and criticized both James and Hochul while highlighting his administration’s record on crime during his second term.
