New York attorney general’s office hits back at Trump: We wish he ‘would share our respect for the law’

New York Attorney General Letitia James (D) said Monday that she wished President Trump would share her office’s “respect for the law” after he accused James and Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) of “illegally using the state’s legal apparatus” to destroy the National Rifle Association (NRA). 

“Attorney General Letitia James is focused on enforcing the rule of law. In any case we pursue, we will follow the facts wherever they may lead,” James’s office said in a statement shared on Twitter. 

“We wish the President would share our respect for the law.”

A statement from the Office of the New York State Attorney General:

“Attorney General Letitia James is focused on enforcing the rule of law. In any case we pursue, we will follow the facts wherever they may lead.

We wish the President would share our respect for the law.”

— NY AG James (@NewYorkStateAG) April 29, 2019

The comments come just days after James’s office opened an investigation into the NRA’s tax-exempt status. The first-year attorney general instructed the NRA and its affiliated entities to preserve all relevant financial records as part of the probe, according to reports. 

{mosads}She also issued subpoenas to the NRA’s related businesses. 

William A. Brewer III, the pro-gun organization’s outside counsel, has said that the group will “fully cooperate with any inquiry into its finances.”

Trump responded to the news Monday by accusing James and Cuomo of illegally using their positions to target the gun lobby.

“The NRA is under siege by Cuomo and the New York State A.G., who are illegally using the State’s legal apparatus to take down and destroy this very important organization, & others,” Trump tweeted, before calling on the group to “get its act together quickly.”

“Stop the internal fighting, & get back to GREATNESS – FAST!”

James’s probe comes amid a tumultuous time within the organization. NRA President Oliver North announced Saturday that he would not seek reelection amid reports that CEO and Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre had accused North of trying to extort him. 

The internal clash among NRA leadership was sparked in part by James’s promise last year to investigate the group if elected, The Associated Press reported. The NRA has also reported serious financial struggles in recent years.