Trump Criticizes Letitia James' Appointment as Cornell Rape Prosecutor

President Donald Trump criticized New York Attorney General Letitia James on Friday, claiming that seven men accused of rape at Cornell University will not receive "a fair shake" under her leadership. The defendants, members of the Chi Phi fraternity known as the Cornell 7, face a civil lawsuit alleging they drugged and gang-raped a woman in October 2024.

Governor Kathy Hochul appointed James as special prosecutor to oversee the criminal investigation after expressing a loss of faith in Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten. Hochul also criticized Cornell police for allegedly omitting the victim's statement of confidence regarding the assault from their reports, stating the victim had already endured something "utterly unspeakable" and was failed by institutions obligated to protect her.

Letitia James stated her office will review evidence and pursue prosecutions if warranted. The friction between Trump and James follows a previous civil fraud case James brought against the president.