Letitia James slams SAVE Act as voter suppression, vows legal resistance against Trump-era policies
In a powerful and impassioned speech, New York Attorney General Letitia James denounced the SAVE Act as a “voter suppression bill,” warning that it could disenfranchise millions of eligible Americans.
Her remarks also took aim at the Trump administration’s policies on immigration and democratic governance, which she accused of deliberately sowing “chaos” and “disruption.”
Speaking before a supportive crowd, James declared that she and a coalition of 23 attorneys general are ready to challenge the administration’s actions in court.
“Each and every day he files an illegal executive order, we strike back,” James said, referencing successful lawsuits, injunctions, and restraining orders that have blocked or delayed key Trump-era measures.
James framed her resistance in the context of American civil rights history, invoking icons such as Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, and Ida B. Wells, and calling for continued courage in defense of democracy.
“Democracy requires courage,” she said. “And courage runs through our DNA as a people.”
A graduate of Howard University, James cited her legal education—shaped by the legacy of Thurgood Marshall—as the foundation for her determination to stand up to federal overreach.
“I’m not afraid of no president,” she declared, directing her words at Donald Trump. “We’re ready for you. We’re coming for you.”
She concluded with a rallying cry:
“We saved this democracy before, we’ll save it now.”
The SAVE Act, the focus of her criticism, has become a flashpoint in the national debate over voting rights. Supporters argue it’s necessary to protect election integrity, while opponents, including James, see it as an effort to restrict access to the ballot, particularly for minority and immigrant communities.
Her remarks on immigration also highlighted growing state-level opposition to federal policies perceived as targeting vulnerable groups, intensifying the already fraught relationship between Democratic-led states and Trump-aligned federal actions.
As legal and political confrontations continue to unfold, James’ fiery speech signals that the courts will remain a key battleground in the fight over democracy, civil rights, and the rule of law.
