New York Attorney General Letitia James pleaded not guilty in federal court in Norfolk, Virginia, to bank-fraud and false-statement charges, with a judge setting trial for January 26 after her lawyers requested a speedy timetable. Prosecutors allege she obtained favorable mortgage terms on a three-bedroom Norfolk home by falsely claiming it would be her secondary residence, while it was rented to a family; sources say she bought it for a great‑niece. Outside court, James called the case a “vehicle of retribution” by Trump. Her team plans to challenge prosecutor Lindsey Halligan and seek dismissal as “vindictive.”

Prepared by Emily Rhodes and reviewed by editorial team.