Sen. Gounardes: Trump’s Indictment of Attorney General James is Authoritarianism in Action

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: OCTOBER 9, 2025

New York State Senator Andrew Gounardes issued the following statement in response to the indictment of New York State Attorney General Letitia James by a prosecutor handpicked by President Trump:

“Let’s not mince words: this indictment is blatant political persecution and yet another authoritarian power grab by Trump. The facts are clear—after an experienced federal prosecutor made clear that the case against Attorney General James was bogus, the president forced him out and installed a lackey with no prosecutorial experience to do his bidding. 

“The accusations against Attorney General James are baseless, but the threat to our basic rights and freedoms is very real. Once again, Trump is weaponizing our justice system in an attempt to take out his political enemies. This is the president taking a sledgehammer to our democracy, and if we don’t fight back now, he’ll reduce it to rubble.”

Press Contact:

Billy Richling

Communications Director

State Senator Andrew Gounardes

billy@senatorgounardes.nyc

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