In a development that underscores the Trump administration’s fight against partisan law‑enforcement, a former assistant attorney general disclosed an internal directive from New York Attorney General Letitia James’ office. The email, sent by Assistant Attorney General Daniel Wiesenfeld of the Investor Protection Bureau, instructed staff to “find and pursue crimes committed by specific individuals and organizations affiliated with Donald Trump.”
Directive Targets President and Companies
Wiesenfeld’s message listed President Trump, his social media platform Truth Social, and even a DOJ‑approved merger involving Hewlett Packard as subjects of investigation—without providing a credible legal basis. The email’s language suggests the office began with a suspect and then sought a crime, reversing the proper prosecutorial process.
Email Deleted, Staff Placed on Leave
According to the Times Union, the email was later removed from the agency’s servers. A follow‑up note from James’ general counsel, Kumiki Gibson, labeled the matter a “personnel issue” and assured staff that no one was “in danger.” The New York Post reported that Wiesenfeld was placed on paid administrative leave after raising the alarm.
Official Responses
The Office of the New York Attorney General responded to Fox News Digital, stating, “This is a personnel matter. The Office of the Attorney General is committed to upholding New York’s laws and protecting the rights and freedoms of all New Yorkers, regardless of political beliefs. We strongly reject any assertion to the contrary.” The White House, through spokesperson Lauren Bis, called the incident “more proof of the weaponization of the justice system by Letitia James to target President Trump and his allies.”
Background on the Bureau Chief
The bureau chief cited, Shamiso Maswoswe, previously served as a trial attorney in the Justice Department’s Public Integrity Section before being dismissed in December 2017 during President Trump’s first term. She later sued the DOJ for alleged race and pregnancy discrimination, settling for $795,000 in 2023—a settlement the department described as a compromise of disputed claims, not an admission of wrongdoing.
James’ History with Trump
Letitia James campaigned on investigating the former president’s business dealings, filing a lawsuit against the Trump Organization in 2022 that resulted in a $450 million judgment. An appeals court upheld the liability finding while overturning the financial penalty.
Implications for the Rule of Law
This episode raises serious concerns about the impartiality of a state prosecutor’s office. When a legal agency starts with a political target rather than a criminal act, it threatens the principle that law enforcement serves the Constitution, not partisan agendas. The Trump administration continues to call for accountability and transparency in such investigations, emphasizing that all citizens—including public officials—must be subject to the same legal standards.
Original reporting: KTSA News/Talk (San Antonio) — read the source article.
