New York Attorney Gen.-elect, Letitia James, says she Plans to Launch sweeping Investigations into President Trump, his Family, and "anyone" in his Circle who may have Violated the Law once she settles into her New Job next month.
"We will use every area of the law to investigate President Trump and his business transactions and that of his family as well," James (D), said in her first extensive Interview since she was Elected last month.
James outlined some of the Probes she intends to Pursue with Regard to the President, his Businesses, and his Family Members. They include:
- Any Illegalities involving Trump's Real Estate Holdings in New York, highlighting the October New York Times Investigation into the President's Finances.
- The June 2016 Trump Tower Meeting with a Russian Official.
- Examine Government Subsidies Trump received, which were also the subject of Times Investigative work.
- Whether he is in Violation of the Emoluments Clauses in the U.S. Constitution through his New York Businesses.
- Continue to Probe the Trump Foundation, including the use of Donations passed to his Campaign Committee during the 2016 Campaign.
"We want to investigate anyone in his orbit who has, in fact, violated the law," said James, who was Endorsed by and will Serve in the Administration of Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
James Campaigned on Passing a Bill to Change New York's Double Jeopardy Laws with an Eye on Possible Pardons coming out of the White House. James said she wants to be able to Pursue State Charges against Anyone the President were to Pardon over Federal Charges or Convictions and whose Alleged Crimes took place in the State.
"I think within the first 100 days this bill will be passed," she said, adding, "It is a priority because I have concerns with respect to the possibility that this administration might pardon some individuals who might face some criminal charges, but I do not want them to be immune from state charges."
She's also Enlisting help from some Prosecutorial heavy hitters, like former U.S. Attorney General, Loretta Lynch, as a Part of her Transition to help her Identify Important Hires for her Office with an eye on bringing in Experts for its Trump-related Investigations.
New York is home to the President's namesake Business, the Trump Organization, and it is where Trump's 2016 Presidential Campaign was Headquartered and his Reelection Campaign as well. And it is where a number of Key Events under Special Counsel Robert Mueller's microscope, such as the Controversial June 2016 Trump Tower Meeting, took place. All of that Falls within James' Jurisdiction.
As a result, she is about to become one of the most Recognizable, and Powerful State Attorneys General in the Country. "Taking on President Trump and looking at all of the violations of law I think is no match to what I have seen in my lifetime," James said.
Currently the New York City's Public Advocate for a few more weeks, James is set to take over for New York Attorney General, Barbara Underwood, who will return to her Solicitor General of New York job. She was Appointed to Fill in for the Remainder of Eric Schneiderman's Term after he Resigned earlier this year following Accusations of Sexual Misconduct.
The most prominent Litigation between the Attorney General's Office and the President involves the Trump Foundation. Schneiderman began Probing the Charity in 2016 and Underwood later filed the Lawsuit against Trump, his Adult Children, and the Foundation in June.
The Foundation is Accused of Engaging in Illegal Political Coordination with the 2016 Trump Campaign, Self-Dealing, and Violating Legal Obligations. The Trumps and the Foundation could face Millions of Dollars in Penalties as a result. They also would be Bared from holding Board Positions in a State Foundation: President Trump for 10 years and the Adult Children for One year.
Trump's Lawyers Tried and Failed to have the Case thrown out in New York State Supreme Court, alleging the Probe was Politically Motivated.
Underwood also was Investigating whether Trump has Violated the Emoluments clauses of the U.S. Constitution, which generally Prohibits Federal Officials from receiving Gifts or Payments from Foreign or State Governments.
Harvard Law Professor Emeritus, Alan Dershowitz, said that the President has "considerably more vulnerability" when faced with New York State Investigations because he can't hold out the Offer of Pardons or Fire Investigators, though he said James' scope would be Limited to Matters occurring before Trump became President.
He added that it remains an Open Question as to whether a Sitting President can be Charged with a State Crime.
But Indictments can be Sealed until a President is No longer in Office.
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker
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