Trump Urged Hochul to Remove James From Cornell Probe

Former President Donald Trump called for the replacement of Attorney General Letitia James in the university sexual assault case.

Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Sex Crimes

Trump Urged Hochul to Remove James From Cornell Probe

President Donald Trump requested that New York Governor Kathy Hochul remove Attorney General Letitia James from an ongoing investigation into sexual assault allegations at Cornell University. The Governor previously appointed James to the case after the local district attorney declined to pursue charges.

Why it matters

Trump stated that James lacks credibility and suggested any decision reached under her oversight would be subject to appeal. The intervention highlights intense political scrutiny surrounding the handling of the 2024 sexual assault allegations at a Chi Phi fraternity house.

A civil lawsuit was filed in September 2026 against Cornell University, a fraternity, and seven students following an alleged 2024 sexual assault. The matter is currently under the oversight of Attorney General Letitia James after the local district attorney declined to prosecute.

The players

Donald Trump

Donald Trump is the current President of the United States.

Kathy Hochul

Kathy Hochul is the Governor of New York who oversees state-level executive and legal appointments.

Letitia James

Letitia James is the Attorney General of New York who was appointed by the Governor to act as special prosecutor in the Cornell case.

Sally Yates

Sally Yates is an attorney hired by Cornell University to conduct an independent review of institutional responses to sexual misconduct.

The details

In September 2026, a plaintiff identified as Jane Doe initiated legal action against Cornell, the fraternity, and seven students regarding an incident that allegedly occurred in 2024. In response to the broader controversy, Cornell University has suspended all fraternity parties and hired attorney Sally Yates to perform an independent review of sexual misconduct handling.

The alleged sexual assault at the Chi Phi fraternity house occurred in 2024.
Jane Doe filed a lawsuit against the university, fraternity, and seven students in September 2026.
Donald Trump issued his public call for the removal of Letitia James on October 13, 2026.

Legal Context

The Governor's decision to transfer the Cornell investigation follows the established pattern of New York's executive authority to appoint special prosecutors when local offices are deemed unable to proceed. This move reflects ongoing shifts in how the state manages accountability for sexual misconduct allegations on university campuses.

The involvement of high-level state officials and the independent review by Sally Yates have led to a suspension of fraternity parties on campus. Residents and students in the area should expect continued scrutiny and potential changes to safety protocols as the legal proceedings move forward.

The takeaway

The case highlights the complex intersection of university disciplinary policies and state-level legal intervention. Students and community members can monitor the findings of the independent review to understand potential upcoming shifts in campus conduct requirements.