Taxpayers May Fund NY AG Letitia James’s Defense Amid DOJ Probe; Trump Proposes Sending Immigrants to Alcatraz After Watching Film

New York Attorney General Letitia James faces scrutiny over allegations of a long-standing pattern of mortgage misrepresentations and false sworn declarations spanning over 40 years. There is ongoing debate about a proposed Democratic budget item in Albany that could require taxpayers to fund James's legal defense amid investigations, including a potential criminal referral related to mortgage fraud by the Department of Justice and the Federal Housing Finance Agency. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump has proposed sending illegal immigrant gang members to Alcatraz Island, an idea that has been widely mocked by politicians and commentators. The proposal reportedly coincided with Trump watching the film "Escape from Alcatraz" at Mar-a-Lago. Critics have dismissed the plan as impractical and symbolic, with some suggesting alternative detention locations. The discussion around Alcatraz has become a focal point for political commentary, while the funding of James's legal defense remains a contentious issue in New York politics.