Trump asks federal judge to halt civil investigation into his business practices by NY attorney general

Letitia James said this was merely a delay tactic by the former president.

Former President Donald Trump has asked a federal judge in New York to halt a civil investigation into his business practices by New York Attorney General Letitia James, accusing her in a new court filing of weaponizing her office to carry out a "targeted attack against a political adversary."

Trump sued James last month in federal court to block her investigation into how the Trump Organization valued its real estate holdings. He is now asking for a preliminary injunction while the outcome of his lawsuit is decided and for James to recuse herself from the civil investigation.

"Letitia James has displayed a shocking irreverence for her prosecutorial ethics and has routinely exploited her position to malign the former president by turning an unfounded investigation into a public spectacle," Trump's motion said. "In doing so, she has exposed the vindictive and self-serving nature of her actions."

In response, James said this was merely a delay tactic by the former president.