A conservative attorney rumored as a potential top cabinet appointee for President-elect Donald Trump recently issued a stark warning to New York Attorney General Letitia James. The attorney, Mike Davis, expressed an intention to take decisive action against James if she continues pursuing legal action against Trump during his second term.
Davis, a former chief counsel for nominations on the Senate Judiciary Committee, addressed James directly, daring her to proceed with her cases against Trump. In his remarks, he conveyed a willingness to hold her accountable, even mentioning the possibility of criminal charges, implying she could be prosecuted for “conspiracy against rights.” The statements, which included body-shaming remarks directed at James, were made on a conservative YouTube show.
Letitia James, a Democrat, has long been a prominent critic of Trump, and her office has actively pursued investigations into Trump’s business dealings since 2019. The inquiry was initially sparked by testimony from Trump’s former attorney, Michael Cohen, who alleged that the Trump Organization inflated asset values for insurance purposes and committed other financial irregularities. This led James to file a $250 million civil fraud lawsuit against Trump, his children, and his business in 2022.
In 2023, a New York court ruled that Trump, his family members, and his business associates committed fraud. As part of this decision, multiple business licenses held by Trump’s companies were canceled, affecting their ability to operate in New York. Additionally, the court imposed penalties on several of Trump’s attorneys for making what it deemed frivolous legal arguments. Following a bench trial in early 2024, New York Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron ordered Trump and his organization to pay a substantial penalty, nearly reaching the $370 million requested by the state.
The ongoing legal battle has been marked by intense conflict. James sought to seize Trump’s assets in an attempt to collect on the judgment, while Trump’s legal team argued that her actions were unlawful, asserting that procedural rules were being bypassed. Despite the legal maneuvers, Trump ultimately posted a bond to appeal the verdict. Although James contested the adequacy of the bond, the court’s ruling provided Trump some respite in the spring of 2024.
Trump’s appeal against the verdict appears to have gained traction, with the New York Appellate Division showing sympathy for his position during a September hearing. One appellate judge referred to the penalties levied against Trump’s organization as “troubling.” Observers believe a reduction of the verdict against Trump is likely.
Trump’s recent victory over Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election has emboldened his allies, who are now signaling that they intend to be more aggressive in handling legal challenges. With Trump’s re-election, many of his supporters feel that a stronger stance against perceived political and legal adversaries is warranted.
Davis, who has previously clerked for Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch and now leads an organization advocating for conservative judicial appointments, is reportedly under consideration for a prominent legal role in the Trump administration. While he downplayed speculation about his potential appointment as attorney general, his aggressive comments toward James reflect the stance many in Trump’s circle intend to take.
In his remarks, Davis insisted that any perceived attempts to violate Trump’s constitutional rights, or those of other Americans, would not go unchecked. This rhetoric suggests that the incoming administration may prioritize curbing legal actions deemed politically motivated, particularly those targeting Trump and his allies.
As Trump prepares to return to the White House, the confrontational tone of Davis’s statements indicates an intensified approach to dealing with officials like James who have been persistent in pursuing Trump’s legal accountability. With a possible role in the Trump administration, Davis’s stance illustrates the resolve among Trump’s team to push back against legal challenges that they view as overreach or partisan-driven.
