Bonta calls for DOJ independence after Trump’s indictment of AG James

CALIFORNIA – On October 10, California Attorney General Rob Bonta called on U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi to reassert the long-standing independence of the U.S. Department of Justice.

Bonta made the appeal following the indictment of New York Attorney General Letitia James. He also called for an end to all politically motivated criminal prosecutions.

Charged with bank fraud

James was indicted on October 9 by a federal grand jury in Virginia on charges of bank fraud and making false statements tied to her 2020 purchase of a home in Norfolk, Virginia.

Prosecutors allege she falsely claimed the property would be a “second home,” a designation that restricted renting.

They say she later used the home as a rental, which allowed her to obtain more favorable loan terms and save about $19,000 over the life of the mortgage.

James has pushed back, calling the indictment “baseless” and accusing the Justice Department of political retaliation for her prior investigations and civil lawsuit against President Donald Trump and his business empire.

‘Who will be the next target?’

In a strongly worded letter, Bonta reminded Bondi that prosecutors have a solemn responsibility to wield power in a fair and impartial manner, always driven by the facts and the law.

According to public reports, senior Justice Department attorneys and then–Acting U.S. Attorney Erik Siebert believed the case against James was too weak to present to a grand jury.

Bonta said Trump appears to be targeting his political opponents and criticized the U.S. Department of Justice for lacking independence.

“Yesterday, it was Attorney General James, and two weeks ago, it was former FBI Director James Comey. Who will be the next target tomorrow? In a democracy, we should never have to ask that question,” he said.