Letitia James campaigns for Zohran Mamdani in her first public appearance since federal indictment

New York Attorney General Letitia James delivered an impassioned speech Monday night in support of New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani in her first public appearance since her federal indictment last week.“He is a leader fighting for a better future for this city, and he, like me, knows what it’s like to be attacked, to be called names, to be threatened, to be harassed," James said of Mamdani, the Democratic nominee, ahead of next month's general election."I see the courage that is embodied in Zohran, and that's why I am supporting him," she said

New York Attorney General Letitia James delivered an impassioned speech Monday night in support of New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani in her first public appearance since her federal indictment last week.

“He is a leader fighting for a better future for this city, and he, like me, knows what it’s like to be attacked, to be called names, to be threatened, to be harassed," James said of Mamdani, the Democratic nominee, ahead of next month's general election.

"I see the courage that is embodied in Zohran, and that's why I am supporting him," she said.

James spoke at the campaign rally in Washington Heights less than a week after a federal grand jury in Virginia indicted her on fraud charges tied to a mortgage loan. The case was brought by Lindsey Halligan, the acting U.S. attorney in the Eastern District of Virginia, who was once one of President Donald Trump's personal attorneys. Weeks earlier, Trump pressed Attorney General Pam Bondi on social media to prosecute James and other political opponents of his.

Attorney General Letitia James during a New York City Mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani campaign rally at United Palace, in New York City, on Oct. 13, 2025.Michael M. Santiago / Getty ImagesJames, who has denied wrongdoing, did not mention Trump by name on Monday, but she put forward a forceful rebuttal to the charges against her, saying “powerful voices” are trying to "weaponize justice for political gain.”