Trump Accuses N.Y. Gov. Andrew Cuomo Of Using Attorney General As “Bludgeoning Tool” Against Companies

In a tweet posted on Monday, President Donald Trump accused New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo of instructing Attorney General Letitia James as a “bludgeoning tool” in a politically motivated attack on the president and his businesses.

“It is very hard and expensive to live in New York. Governor Andrew Cuomo uses his Attorney General as a bludgeoning tool for his own purposes,” the president wrote. “They sue on everything, always in search of a crime. I even got sued on a Foundation which took Zero rent.”

It is very hard and expensive to live in New York. Governor Andrew Cuomo uses his Attorney General as a bludgeoning tool for his own purposes. They sue on everything, always in search of a crime. I even got sued on a Foundation which took Zero rent & expenses & gave away…

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 1, 2019

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Trump then went on to attack Hillary Clinton, his favorite punching bag, by claiming that the foundation run by her and her husband Bill Clinton should be investigated for fraud.

….more money than it had. Going on for years, originally brought by Crooked Hillary’s Campaign Chair, A.G. Eric Schneiderman, until forced to resign for abuse against women. They never even looked at the disgusting Clinton Foundation. Now Cuomo’s A.G. is harassing all of my….

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 1, 2019

The attorney general claimed that Trump and his children improperly benefitted financially and politically from the organization. In a March court filing, James accused Trump of illegally entangling his foundation with his 2016 campaign, and is seeking $2.8 million in restitution. She is also seeking a ten-year ban preventing Trump and his children from operating any New York charities.

….New York businesses in search of anything at all they can find to make me look as bad as possible. So, on top of ridiculously high taxes, my children and companies are spending a fortune on lawyers. No wonder people and businesses are fleeing New York in record numbers!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 1, 2019

Cuomo responded to Trump’s accusations, saying that the president’s tweet “shows that his paranoia is once again getting the better of him.” He continued by dismissing the rumor that he had set James loose on Trump, asserting, “the people of the state choose the attorney general. So his suggestion that it’s my attorney general is just incorrect. I don’t have an attorney general” He continued, adding of Trump that “If he has nothing to hide, he has nothing to worry about.”

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James, who was voted into office in November 2018, also defended her legal attacks, saying, “As the elected AG of NY, I have a sworn duty to protect & uphold state law. My office will follow the facts of any case, wherever they lead.“

She continued, stating, “Make no mistake: No one is above the law, not even the President. P.S. My name is Letitia James. (You can call me Tish.)“