New York Attorney General Letitia James declared herself "totally innocent" Thursday of federal fraud charges brought by President Donald Trump's handpicked U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia.

"It's baseless," James said in response to a question from ABC News, the first time she has answered questions about the indictment. "It's nothing more than retribution, retribution for doing my job."

James last year brought a successful civil fraud case against Trump, his family and his business. New York's intermediate appellate court subsequently upheld the judgment holding Trump liable for fraud but struck down the $454 million penalty.

James is facing two mortgage-related charges accusing her of using a home in Norfolk, Virginia, as a "rental investment property" w

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