DOJ targets New York AG's office over previous fraud case against Trump

Zoom in: The investigation focuses on the Attorney General's previous civil fraud lawsuit against Trump for improper business practices, and the office's long-running investigation into the National Rifle Association.

• A jury found that the NRA had violated New York's not-for-profit laws in December 2024, and that the NRA needed to enact more than a dozen reforms in order to bring the organization up to code.
• The court also found that former NRA Executive Vice President and CEO Wayne LaPierre and its former Chief Financial Officer Wilson "Woody" Phillips caused the NRA more than $7 million in damages.

The intrigue: The subpoenas question whether James deprived the president from his rights or privileges protected by the Constitution or laws of the United States, multiple outlets reported.

• Section 242 of Title 18 of the U.S. code specifically requires the official to have "willfully" denied someone of their rights.

What they are saying: "Any weaponization of the justice system should disturb every American," a spokesperson for James said.

• "We stand strongly behind our successful litigation against the Trump Organization and the National Rifle Association, and we will continue to stand up for New Yorkers' rights."
• The Justice Department declined to comment.

Catch up quick: James argued that Trump and his business partners shouldn't be allowed to operate in New York after the president falsely inflated asset values, according to a lawsuit filed in 2022.

• A judge found Trump liable and ordered him to pay more than $450 million. The case is being appealed.

Go deeper: Trump targets political opponents as revenge tour accelerates