WASHINGTON (AP) — The coalition of New York NAACP chapters had just begun its annual state convention when Letitia James, a longtime member and the state’s attorney general, canceled her appearance. James had just been indicted by the Justice Department for alleged mortgage fraud, a charge which she called “baseless” and “a grave violation of our constitutional order.” For the New York convention’s organizers, the moment was alarming and underscored the gathering’s importance, which featured multiple sessions on building political power at the state level in response to what NAACP leaders called federal attacks on social welfare, civil rights and the rule of law. “It was through our collective action that a democracy was built,” said NAACP New York State Conference President L. Joy Williams. “What we have to do is not only defend against what is happening now, but we have to push further past where we were before, to build a system to build a better American democracy that we all deserve.” The indictment of James, who had previously prosecuted the Trump Organization for business fraud, immediately sparked debate over whether the justice system had been politicized for President Donald Trump’s personal grievances. It also drew many parallels with the recent effort by Trump to remove Federal Reserve Board governor Lisa Cook from her post over similar allegations.
Claims against James and Cook carry symbolic weight for Black families. Advocates see some of Trump’s recent moves as exceptionally targeted at Black women leaders. “This is something that we’ve been grappling with since the start of this administration,” said Shavon Arline-Bradley, president and CEO of the National Council of Negro Women. The claims have symbolic weight where property ownership has historically been restricted by the legal system through outright and implicit discrimination, impacting the ability for wealth creation among Black Americans. “When you attack someone’s home, you attack their ability to own, you attack their ability to have choice, you have attacked their ability to make a statement about their economic future,” Arline-Bradley said. Black women, she added, “feel very targeted” because of the president’s words and actions, which she said was rooted in a misunderstanding about the accomplishments of these women. The Trump administration contends its prosecution of James is justified and impartial, stating, “No one is above the law.” Critics, however, assert that the administration’s actions represent political retribution against key opponents. “President Trump has made clear through his own public comments that the goal of this indictment is simply to exact retribution against his political opponents,” Yvette Clark, chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, said. Experts question the motives behind the mortrgage fraud inquiries, noting that prosecutions of this nature are uncommon without a clear pattern of malicious activity. As the situation develops, supporters of James stand by her, affirming her importance in the work ahead for civil rights.
Claims against James and Cook carry symbolic weight for Black families. Advocates see some of Trump’s recent moves as exceptionally targeted at Black women leaders. “This is something that we’ve been grappling with since the start of this administration,” said Shavon Arline-Bradley, president and CEO of the National Council of Negro Women. The claims have symbolic weight where property ownership has historically been restricted by the legal system through outright and implicit discrimination, impacting the ability for wealth creation among Black Americans. “When you attack someone’s home, you attack their ability to own, you attack their ability to have choice, you have attacked their ability to make a statement about their economic future,” Arline-Bradley said. Black women, she added, “feel very targeted” because of the president’s words and actions, which she said was rooted in a misunderstanding about the accomplishments of these women. The Trump administration contends its prosecution of James is justified and impartial, stating, “No one is above the law.” Critics, however, assert that the administration’s actions represent political retribution against key opponents. “President Trump has made clear through his own public comments that the goal of this indictment is simply to exact retribution against his political opponents,” Yvette Clark, chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, said. Experts question the motives behind the mortrgage fraud inquiries, noting that prosecutions of this nature are uncommon without a clear pattern of malicious activity. As the situation develops, supporters of James stand by her, affirming her importance in the work ahead for civil rights.
