Trump Slams NY Attorney General James Over Cornell Case Appointment

Donald Trump has expressed strong disapproval of New York Attorney General Letitia James's appointment as special prosecutor in the alleged gang rape case involving seven fraternity members at Cornell University. Trump, who has previously used the nickname 'Peekaboo' for James, stated on his Truth Social platform that he felt "badly" for the defendants, whom he characterized as being targeted by a "corrupt prosecutor."

Governor Kathy Hochul appointed James to oversee the case on Thursday via an executive order, citing a loss of faith in the Tompkins County District Attorney's ability to handle the investigation fairly. This decision followed the release of a transcript where the accuser, identified as Jane Doe, told Cornell police she was "100 percent" confident she had been assaulted. District Attorney Matthew Van Houten stated he had not previously seen the transcript and would review it.

Trump criticized Hochul's decision, questioning why she would appoint James, whom he again labeled as "corrupt," to handle the "highly controversial" case. The nickname "Peekaboo" has drawn accusations of racism, claims that Trump denies. When asked about the case on Friday, Trump reiterated his view of James as "totally corrupt" and suggested that any defendants facing her "won't get a fair shake."

James previously led a civil suit against Trump alleging financial fraud by his business, which resulted in a significant fine for the former president that was later deemed excessive and voided. In October, James faced federal indictment on charges of bank fraud and making false statements, though the charges were dismissed a month later.

The allegations at Cornell stem from a civil suit filed in September by Jane Doe, who claims she was gang-raped by seven fraternity members on October 19, 2024, after arriving at the fraternity house heavily intoxicated. The lawsuit details claims of Doe being pressured to consume ketamine and marijuana, followed by repeated sexual assaults while other fraternity members allegedly made derogatory remarks in a Snapchat group.

Cornell University temporarily suspended the fraternity and seven students following Doe's report to campus police in November. While some defendants have publicly denied participating in the assaults or drug use, others have acknowledged consensual sexual contact but denied any wrongdoing. The university has stated it conducted a thorough investigation leading to expulsions and the fraternity being barred from campus.

The accuser's attorney has stated that Doe continues to suffer from anxiety, depression, and sleepless nights, and has been unable to continue her studies at Cornell due to the trauma.