New York, New York - A US appeals court recently ruled to uphold a previous ruling that blocked President Donald Trump's administration from issuing subpoenas to the office of New York Attorney General Letitia James.
On Friday, the 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 2-1 to uphold the decision barring top federal prosecutor and Trump ally John Sarcone from investigating James, arguing his placement leading the probe was unlawful.
James has become one of the president's biggest political foes, as she was the attorney who led a 2024 case in which he was found liable for fraud, ordered to pay millions in fines, and barred from doing business in New York.
At the start of his second term, Trump vowed to seek retribution against those who he felt had wronged him – but so far his efforts to target James have failed.
Friday's ruling came in response to Sarcone issuing subpoenas to James' office in August 2025 demanding they turn over records related to her fraud case against Trump as part of an investigation into alleged civil rights violations.
It also marks the third time since the beginning of Trump's second term that an appeals court has blocked the president's efforts to circumvent the required appointment process for appointed US attorneys.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the DOJ said, "We disagree with the court's decision, and intend to take this case to the Supreme Court."