--- title: "New York prosecutor alleges Letitia James' office targeted Trump without cause" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/politics/new-york-prosecutor-alleges-letitia-james-office-targeted-trump-without-cause" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/new-york-prosecutor-alleges-letitia-james-office-targeted-trump-without-cause" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/politics/new-york-prosecutor-alleges-letitia-james-office-targeted-trump-without-cause.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/new-york-prosecutor-alleges-letitia-james-office-targeted-trump-without-cause" category: "Politics" area: "United States" published: "2026-09-02T20:05:24.550Z" source_reported: "2026-09-02T19:02:05.387Z" updated: "2026-09-02T20:05:24.550Z" trust_score: 78 critic_score: 75 hype_score: 35 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-09-02T20:00:16.581128+00:00" --- # New York prosecutor alleges Letitia James' office targeted Trump without cause *Assistant Attorney General Daniel Wiesenfeld claimed his supervisor instructed him to pursue crimes involving Trump, Truth Social and Hewlett-Packard* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 78 of 100, higher is better. Two named sources and a direct quote from a document in the full report. - Craft 75 of 100, higher is better. Quotes and right of reply included in the full report. - Hype 35 of 100, lower is better. Headlines overstate the evidence but body is measured. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - Assistant Attorney General Daniel Wiesenfeld sent an email to over 2,000 employees alleging he was instructed to target Donald Trump, Truth Social and Hewlett-Packard without credible reasons. - The email was deleted from the Attorney General's servers and employee inboxes after being sent on 29 August 2026. - New York GOP Chair Ed Cox called Letitia James unfit to serve, while the AG's office dismissed the claims as a personnel issue. - The Times Union first reported the email and Wiesenfeld's allegations on 29 August 2026. Assistant Attorney General Daniel Wiesenfeld sent an email to more than 2,000 employees in the New York Attorney General's office on 29 August 2026. He alleged that his supervisor, Investor Protection Bureau chief Shamiso Maswoswe, instructed him to "find and pursue crimes committed by specific individuals and organisations affiliated with Donald Trump" without a credible reason. The email named Trump, his social media platform Truth Social, and Hewlett-Packard as targets. Wiesenfeld's email was deleted from the office's servers and removed from employee inboxes. The Attorney General's office later sent a follow-up email from general counsel Kumiki Gibson, describing the matter as internal and stating no employees were in danger. A spokesperson for the office called it a personnel issue and rejected assertions of political targeting, as reported by the Times Union. New York GOP Chair Ed Cox issued a statement on 30 August 2026, calling Attorney General Letitia James "utterly unfit to serve" and accusing her of weaponising the office into a "political hit squad". Cox endorsed James' Republican challenger, Saritha Komatireddy, in the upcoming midterm elections. The Times Union first reported Wiesenfeld's email and allegations on 29 August 2026. ## What the coverage left out None of the right-rated digests mentioned the cost of the investigations Wiesenfeld alleged were politically motivated. The left-rated Lohud report was the only one to include the AG's office response dismissing the matter as a personnel issue. None of the centre-rated digests carried the follow-up email from general counsel Kumiki Gibson. ## Who covered it Shares of the 44 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 5% (2) - Centre: 6% (3) - Right: 89% (39) 9 of 53 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-09-02T20:00:16.581128+00:00. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 4 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-09-02T21:00:16.743Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left - The two left-rated digests led on the accusation that the Attorney General's office targeted Donald Trump and his associates. Both carried the claim that Wiesenfeld was instructed to pursue crimes without credible reasons. Neither digest mentioned the deletion of the email or the follow-up message from the AG's general counsel. - Lohud, the only left-rated outlet with a full report, quoted New York GOP Chair Ed Cox calling James "utterly unfit to serve" and describing the office as a "political hit squad". The report included the AG's office response, which dismissed the matter as a personnel issue and denied political targeting. It also detailed James' history of legal disputes with Trump, including a 2024 civil fraud case that was later overturned. ### Centre - The three centre-rated digests all led on the instruction to "find and pursue crimes" involving Trump. Two of the three mentioned the deletion of the email. None of the digests quoted the AG's office response or the follow-up email from general counsel Kumiki Gibson. ### Right - Fourteen right-rated digests led on the allegation that the Attorney General's office targeted Trump without cause. Nine of the fourteen used the phrase "find and pursue crimes" in their opening lines. Six digests mentioned the deletion of the email, while none carried the AG's office response or the follow-up message from general counsel Kumiki Gibson. - The right-rated digests frequently described the incident as evidence of political weaponisation. Four used the term "whistleblower" to describe Wiesenfeld, and three referred to the office as a "political hit squad". None of the digests included the AG's office statement rejecting assertions of political targeting. **Provisional coverage gap:** left. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - veryLow: 2 - low: 16 - mixed: 16 - high: 8 - unknown: 9 - veryHigh: 2 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [wfmd.com](https://wfmd.com/2026/09/02/deleted-email-details-alleged-trump-targeting-push-inside-letitia-james-office-find-and-pursue-crimes) — Deleted email details alleged Trump-targeting push inside Letitia James’ office: ‘Find and pursue crimes’ - [The New York Ledger](https://thenyledger.com/politics/deleted-email-details-alleged-trump-targeting-push-inside-letitia-james-office-find-and-pursue-crimes) — Deleted email details alleged Trump-targeting push inside Letitia James’ office: ‘Find and pursue crimes’ - [nytimespost.com](https://nytimespost.com/deleted-email-details-alleged-trump-targeting-push-inside-letitia-james-office-find-and-pursue-crimes) — Deleted email details alleged Trump-targeting push inside Letitia James’ office: ‘Find and pursue crimes’ - NEW YORK TIMES POST - [Fox News](https://foxnews.com/politics/deleted-email-details-alleged-trump-targeting-push-inside-letitia-james-office-find-pursue-crimes) — Deleted email details alleged Trump-targeting push inside Letitia James’ office: ‘Find and pursue crimes’ - [capitolpressroom.org](https://capitolpressroom.org/2026/09/02/internal-email-shines-light-on-focus-of-new-york-ag) — Internal email shines light on focus of New York AG - [BizToc](https://biztoc.com/x/b7e3df75b1344ee9) — NY Prosecutor Says He Was Told To 'Find Crimes' To Target Trump Allies - [Washington Examiner](https://washingtonexaminer.com/news/justice/4707841/letitia-james-anti-trump-resistance-flank-whistleblower-tiana-lowe-doescher) — Letitia James holding on to ‘anti-Trump resistance flank’: Tiana Lowe Doescher - [Zero Hedge](https://zerohedge.com/political/ny-prosecutor-says-he-was-told-find-crimes-target-trump-allies) — NY Prosecutor Says He Was Told To 'Find Crimes' To Target Trump Allies - [The Federalist](https://thefederalist.com/2026/09/01/whistleblower-in-letitia-james-office-says-he-was-ordered-to-target-trump) — Attorney In NY AG's Office Says He Was Told To 'Target Trump' - [Conservative Review](https://conservativereview.com/whistleblower-in-letitia-james-office-says-he-was-ordered-to-target-trump-2677802268.html) — Whistleblower In Letitia James’ Office Says He Was Ordered To ‘Target Trump’ - [Lohud](https://lohud.com/story/news/politics/2026/09/01/ny-gop-calls-ag-james-unfit-to-serve-amid-trump-targeting-accusation/91545350007) — AG James' office accused of targeting Trump by NY prosecutor: report - [JONATHAN TURLEY](https://jonathanturley.org/2026/09/01/tishs-personal-attorneys-targeting-her-political-enemies-former-prosecutor-lashes-out-at-letitia-james) — “Tish’s Personal Attorneys Targeting Her Political Enemies”: Former Prosecutor Lashes Out at Letitia James - [Hot Air](https://hotair.com/ed-morrissey/2026/09/01/whistleblower-ny-ag-ordered-vendettas-on-political-opponents-including-trump-n3818574) — Whistleblower: NY AG Ordered Vendettas on Political Opponents – Including Trump - [USA Today](https://usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2026/09/01/ny-gop-calls-ag-james-unfit-to-serve-amid-trump-targeting-accusation/91545350007) — AG James' office accused of targeting Trump by NY prosecutor: report - [The American Tribune](https://theamericantribune.com/new-york-prosecutor-claims-letitia-james-ordered-him-to-unfairly-target-president-trump-and-his-allies) — New York Prosecutor Claims Letitia James Ordered Him To Unfairly Target President Trump And His Allies - The American Tribune.com - [capitalisminstitute.org](https://capitalisminstitute.org/new-york-ag-letitia-james-office-accused-of-political-targeting-by-internal-prosecutor) — New York AG Letitia James’ office accused of political targe - [CLG News](https://legitgov.org/prosecutor-in-ny-ag-letitia-jamess-office-says-he-was-ordered-to-dig-up-dirt-on-trump-allies) — Prosecutor in NY AG Letitia James’s office says he was ordered to dig up dirt on Trump allies - [WTEN](https://news10.com/news/ny-capitol-news/ny-prosecutor-accuses-ag-james-office-of-targeting-trump) — NY prosecutor accuses AG James' office of targeting Trump - [NewsFinale](https://newsfinale.com/us/letitia-james-aide-accused-of-targeting-trump-was-fired-by-trump-admin-won-795k-discrimination-case) — Letitia James Aide Accused of Targeting Trump Was Fired by Trump Admin, Won $795K Discrimination Case - [Independent Sentinel](https://independentsentinel.com/ny-bureau-chief-ordered-a-prosecutor-to-find-trump-crimes-without-a-credible-reason) — NY Bureau Chief Ordered a Prosecutor to Find Trump Crimes Without a Credible Reason? - [matzav.com](https://matzav.com/letitia-james-prosecutor-claims-he-was-told-to-target-trump-allies-accuses-ags-office-of-political-weaponization) — Letitia James Prosecutor Claims He Was Told to Target Trump Allies, Accuses AG’s Office of Political Weaponization - [American Faith](https://americanfaith.com/whistleblower-exposes-letitia-james) — Whistleblower Exposes Letitia James - [The National Pulse](https://thenationalpulse.com/2026/08/31/whistleblowing-prosecutor-says-ag-letitia-james-ordered-staff-to-find-crimes-to-stick-on-trump-and-his-associates) — Whistleblowing Prosecutor Says AG Letitia James Ordered Staff to ‘Find Crimes’ to Stick on Trump and His Associates. - [Le·gal In·sur·rec·tion](https://legalinsurrection.com/2026/08/ny-prosecutor-blows-whistle-on-letitia-james-office-we-were-ordered-to-target-trump) — NY Prosecutor Blows Whistle on Letitia James’ Office: We Were Ordered to Target Trump - [The Western Journal](https://westernjournal.com/insider-letitia-james-office-says-ordered-go-trump-linked-people-orgs-find-pursue) — Insider in Letitia James' Office Says He Was Ordered to Go After Trump-Linked People and Orgs - 'Find and Pursue' - [The Savage Nation](https://michaelsavage.com/miranda-devine-ag-letitia-james-turns-evil-eye-on-trump-and-blind-eye-to-ny-crime) — MichaelSavage.com – Miranda Devine: AG Letitia James turns evil eye on Trump — and blind eye to NY crime - [Hoodline](https://hoodline.com/2026/08/ny-prosecutor-says-james-office-ordered-him-to-dig-up-dirt-on-trump-allies) — NY Prosecutor Says James Office Ordered Him to Dig Up Dirt on Trump Allies - [Real Clear Politics](https://realclearpolitics.com/2026/08/31/whistleblower_lays_bare_letitia_james_abuses_of_power_709576.html) — Whistleblower Lays Bare Letitia James' Abuses of Power - [[your]NEWS](https://yournews.com/2026/08/31/7181918/prosecutor-blows-whistle-on-letitia-james-office-says-he-was) — Prosecutor Blows Whistle on Letitia James’ Office, Says He Was Told to Target Trump and ‘Find Crimes’ - [American Lookout](https://headlines.americanlookout.com/whistleblower-new-york-ag-office-pushed-for-me-to-target-trump) — Whistleblower: New York AG Office Pushed For Me To Target Trump - [Real News Feed](https://realnewsfeed.com/whistleblower-new-york-ag-office-pushed-for-me-to-target-trump) — Whistleblower: New York AG Office Pushed For Me To Target Trump - [noahreport.com](https://noahreport.com/whistleblower-new-york-ag-office-pushed-for-me-to-target-trump) — Whistleblower: New York AG Office Pushed For Me To Target Trump - [protrumpnews.com](https://protrumpnews.com/whistleblower-new-york-ag-office-pushed-for-me-to-target-trump) — Whistleblower: New York AG Office Pushed For Me To Target Trump - [thehornnews.com](https://thehornnews.com/letitia-james-weekend-just-ruined-by-whistleblower) — Letitia James’ weekend just ruined by whistleblower – The Horn News - [thedailybs.com](https://thedailybs.com/2026/08/31/__trashed-35) — Letitia James gets a whistleblower problem: prosecutor says he was ORDERED to dig up dirt on Trump allies - The Daily Bo Snerdley - [American Wire News](https://americanwirenews.com/letitia-james-prosecutor-says-he-was-ordered-to-dig-up-dirt-on-trump-allies-report) — Letitia James prosecutor says he was ORDERED to dig up dirt on Trump allies: report · American Wire News - [Bizpac Review](https://bizpacreview.com/2026/08/31/letitia-james-prosecutor-says-he-was-ordered-to-dig-up-dirt-on-trump-allies-report-1656970) — Letitia James prosecutor says he was ORDERED to dig up dirt on Trump allies: report - [The Jewish Voice](https://thejewishvoice.com/news/politics/ny-prosecutor-says-letitia-james-office-pressured-him-to-target-trump-and-his-inner-circle) — NY Prosecutor Says Letitia James’ Office Pressured Him to Target Trump and His Inner Circle - [RedState](https://redstate.com/rusty-weiss/2026/08/31/tish-got-caught-red-handed-prosecutors-email-alleging-a-trump-hunt-was-deleted-from-state-servers-n2206277) — Tish Got Caught Red-Handed: Prosecutor’s Email Alleging a Trump Hunt Was Deleted From State Servers - [U-S-NEWS.COM](https://u-s-news.com/politics-miranda-devine-ag-letitia-james-evil-eye-on-trump-and-blind-eye-to-ny-crime) — POLITICS: Miranda Devine: AG Letitia James’ evil eye on Trump and blind eye to NY crime - [The Constitution Study](https://constitutionstudy.com/2026/08/31/whistleblower-reveals-letitia-james-political-hit-squad) — Whistleblower reveals Letitia James political hit squad… - [Conservative Playlist](https://conservativeplaylist.com/whistleblower-prosecutor-exposes-letitia-james-political-hit-squad) — Whistleblower Prosecutor Exposes Letitia James Political Hit Squad - [Discern Report](https://discernreport.com/whistleblower-prosecutor-exposes-letitia-james-political-hit-squad) — Whistleblower Prosecutor Exposes Letitia James Political Hit Squad - [Conservative Playbook](https://conservativeplaybook.com/whistleblower-prosecutor-exposes-letitia-james-political-hit-squad) — Whistleblower Prosecutor Exposes Letitia James Political Hit Squad - [Newsmax](https://newsmax.com/us/whistleblower-letitia-james-abuse/2026/08/30/id/1267809) — Whistleblower Alleges Letitia James Abused Power - [OpsLens](https://opslens.com/prosecutor-blows-whistle-on-letitia-james-office-says-he-was-ordered-to-find-crimes-committed-by-trump-despite-zero-evidence) — Prosecutor blows whistle on Letitia James’ office, says he was ordered to ‘find crimes’ committed by Trump despite zero evidence - [WND](https://wnd.com/2026/08/prosecutor-blows-whistle-letitia-james-office-says-he) — Prosecutor blows whistle on Letitia James’ office, says he was ordered to ‘find crimes’ committed by Trump despite zero evidence * WorldNetDaily * by Cristina Laila, The Gateway Pundit - [VINnews](https://vinnews.com/2026/08/30/ny-prosecutor-accuses-james-office-of-directing-him-to-target-trump-and-his-allies) — NY Prosecutor Accuses James Office of Directing Him to Target Trump and His Allies - [The Gateway Pundit](https://thegatewaypundit.com/2026/08/prosecutor-blows-whistle-ny-ag-letitia-james-office) — BREAKING: Prosecutor Blows the Whistle on NY AG Letitia James’ Office, Says He Was Ordered to “Find Crimes” Committed by Trump Despite Zero Evidence * The Gateway Pundit * by Cristina Laila - [The Daily Caller](https://dailycaller.com/2026/08/30/ny-prosecutor-says-he-was-ordered-by-leticia-james-to-target-trump-allies-report) — Prosecutor Says He Was Ordered By Letitia James To Target Trump Allies: REPORT - [New York Post](https://nypost.com/2026/08/30/us-news/prosecutor-in-ag-letitia-james-office-says-he-was-ordered-to-dig-up-dirt-on-trump-allies-report) — Prosecutor in NY AG Letitia James’ office says he was ordered to dig up dirt on Trump allies: report - [Just the News](https://justthenews.com/government/courts-law/ny-prosecutor-claims-james-office-pushed-him-target-trump-linked-entities) — NY prosecutor claims Letitia James’ office pushed him to target Trump-linked entities - [Times Union](https://timesunion.com/capitol/article/ny-prosecutor-claims-letitia-james-office-22409213.php) — NY prosecutor claims Letitia James' office directed him to target Trump ## Questions **Who is Daniel Wiesenfeld?** Daniel Wiesenfeld is an Assistant Attorney General in the New York Attorney General's office. He sent an email alleging he was instructed to target Donald Trump, Truth Social and Hewlett-Packard without credible reasons. The email was later deleted from servers and employee inboxes. **What did the Attorney General's office say about the email?** A spokesperson for the Attorney General's office called the matter a personnel issue and rejected assertions of political targeting. The office also sent a follow-up email stating no employees were in danger, as reported by the Times Union. **Which outlets reported the deletion of the email?** The deletion of the email was reported by Lohud, the Times Union, and six of the fourteen right-rated digests. The centre-rated digests also mentioned it in two of the three reports. **Did any outlet quote the AG's office response?** The AG's office response was quoted only in the left-rated Lohud report. None of the centre-rated or right-rated digests included the statement rejecting assertions of political targeting. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/politics/new-york-prosecutor-alleges-letitia-james-office-targeted-trump-without-cause. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "New York prosecutor alleges Letitia James' office targeted Trump without cause", https://mediabias.news/politics/new-york-prosecutor-alleges-letitia-james-office-targeted-trump-without-cause