Trump Says Cornell Defendants ‘Won’t Get a Fair Shake’ Under Letitia James

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has criticized New York Attorney General Letitia James after Governor Kathy Hochul appointed her special prosecutor in a reopened investigation into alleged sexual assault involving seven former Cornell University students.

Trump made the comments Friday while speaking with reporters outside the White House, saying he felt badly for people being investigated by James and arguing they would not receive a fair process.

The president also described James as “corrupt,” a characterization he has repeatedly used against the New York attorney general during their longstanding political and legal conflict.

James was appointed special prosecutor after Hochul signed an executive order transferring investigative authority to the state attorney general’s office, following renewed scrutiny of how the original case was handled.

The investigation concerns allegations stemming from an October 2024 incident at Cornell involving a female student and several members of the Chi Phi fraternity. The allegations remain contested.

According to court filings and investigative records cited by major news organizations, the woman has alleged that she was drugged and sexually assaulted by multiple fraternity members at the fraternity house.

Seven former students have been named in the woman’s civil lawsuit, while the criminal investigation is now being reconsidered after the case received renewed public attention.

The Tompkins County district attorney initially declined to bring criminal charges after reviewing the allegations, but the office later reopened the matter and said evidence would be presented to a grand jury.

New York officials have raised concerns about the earlier investigation, including allegations that important information from the woman’s account was omitted from documentation reviewed by prosecutors.

Hochul said she had lost confidence in the local handling of the investigation and argued that appointing a special prosecutor was necessary to restore public confidence in the process.

James said her office would conduct the investigation according to the facts and the law, emphasizing that New Yorkers deserve criminal allegations to be examined fully and fairly.

The attorney general’s appointment places the case under the authority of a statewide office with broader investigative resources and removes the inquiry from the exclusive control of local prosecutors.

Trump’s criticism has added a political dimension because James has previously pursued major legal actions involving Trump and his business interests in New York.

The president’s comments therefore focused not only on the Cornell investigation but also on his longstanding dispute with James, who has been one of his prominent legal adversaries.

James, however, has said publicly that her office’s role is to gather evidence, interview witnesses and determine whether prosecution is warranted under applicable law.

The case has also raised questions about New York’s laws governing sexual assault allegations involving people who voluntarily consume alcohol or drugs before an alleged incident.

Hochul has indicated support for potential legislative changes, arguing that lawmakers should examine whether existing statutes adequately address cases involving intoxicated victims.

Cornell has said it cooperated with the investigation and conducted its own disciplinary proceedings, while the university has faced renewed scrutiny over its handling of the allegations.

Cornell’s Student Assembly has separately discussed measures concerning transparency, accountability, sexual-assault procedures and communication surrounding the university’s handling of the 2024 case.