In a scathing address on Thursday, Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic contender for New York City’s mayoral race, criticized President Trump for targeting New York Attorney General Letitia James.

“Donald Trump’s actions against her are a direct response to her integrity,” Mamdani declared during a rally in Manhattan’s lower district. “She demonstrated accountability, proving that no individual, not even someone with delusions of grandeur, is exempt from the law.”

He further stated, “This administration is authoritarian in nature, and we, the people, refuse to tolerate it. Our rejection of Trump’s cruel, punitive, and narrow vision is rooted in our commitment to solidarity and our unwavering support for James.”

James, whom Mamdani praised as “an extraordinary advocate for the state,” entered a not guilty plea on Friday to federal charges related to alleged mortgage fraud. These charges were brought forward earlier this month by the Trump administration.

After her courthouse appearance on Friday, James criticized the legal actions against her as a misuse of the judicial system for retaliatory purposes. In recent weeks, the administration has also charged two other perceived opponents—former FBI Director James Comey and former national security adviser John Bolton—sparking concerns about Trump’s potential use of the Department of Justice to target political adversaries.

James brought a civil fraud case against Trump and his business empire in 2022, which alleged the then-former president had inflated his own net worth for tax and insurance benefits. A New York judge found Trump liable for fraud and entered a $354.8 million penalty against the president. 

The penalty fee eventually rose to more than $500 million due to interest. An appeals court knocked down the fine in August but otherwise kept the case intact. Both Trump and James have appealed.

At the Thursday rally, Mamdani expressed his support for James in challenging her indictment.

“We know she will emerge out of it the same as she came into it: an advocate for the people of the city, of the state, and the people of this country,” he said. “And she will continue in this fight, and we will continue alongside her.”