New York Attorney General Letitia James delivered sharp criticism of President Donald Trump during a speech Friday at a civil rights event hosted by Rev. Al Sharpton. The appearance, held in New York City, featured religious and political themes as James accused Trump of undermining democratic institutions and dividing the country.
Speaking at the event, James invoked the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., referencing a “stone of hope” that she said motivates her to stand against the president.

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“It’s that stone of hope that gives me a fire in my belly each and every morning,” James said.
“It’s that stone of hope that allows me to wake up and to stand to Donald Trump and to say, Donald Trump, I’m not afraid of you.”
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The attorney general continued, “I am not going to disgrace [my ancestors] and disappoint them. I am going to use the law both as a sword and as a shield and challenge Donald Trump… because he represents to me sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.”

James used the platform to advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies, describing them as wide-ranging in scope. “DEI is about paid parental leave. DEI is about disabled children,” she said.
“Let them know that they’re not only coming after us, but they’re coming after all of us.”
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“Faith and fear can never share the same space,” James added. “I’m covered by the blood and I’m not afraid of Donald Trump! You can come after me, but no enemy, nothing formed against me will perish!”
James has been a frequent legal adversary of President Trump throughout his political career. Her office has led or joined lawsuits against Trump-era executive orders, funding changes to Title X family planning programs, and the restructuring of federal agencies under his administration.
James has described these moves as unconstitutional and detrimental to vulnerable communities.
Among the high-profile cases James has pursued was a civil fraud lawsuit that resulted in a judgment ordering Trump to pay more than $450 million. In April 2024, Trump secured a $175 million bond through Knight Specialty Insurance Company to appeal the ruling and avoid asset seizure by the state of New York.
In February 2025, Trump—now back in office—revoked the security clearances of several officials, including James. That same month, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced a new civil lawsuit targeting New York state officials, including James and Governor Kathy Hochul.

The federal lawsuit focuses on New York’s Green Light Law, which permits undocumented immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses. Bondi’s office argues that the state policy conflicts with federal immigration law. James and Hochul have defended the law, claiming it improves road safety and public accountability by encouraging licensed driving among immigrant residents.
As President Trump’s administration continues to challenge state-level policies through legal channels, James remains one of the most vocal Democratic officials in opposition. Her remarks on Friday added another layer to the ongoing political and legal conflict between the New York Attorney General’s office and the federal government.
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