NORFOLK, Va. — New York Attorney General Letitia James pleaded not guilty Friday to a pair of federal charges stemming from her purchase of a Virginia property more than five years ago — before mangling remarks by America’s greatest civil rights leader.
The smiling, buoyant-seeming James only spoke to answer “Yes” to US District Judge Jamar Walker when asked if she understood her rights and responded “Not guilty, judge, to both counts” when prompted to enter a plea by her attorney, Democratic powerhouse Abbe Lowell.
In brief remarks following her arraignment, the 67-year-old shamelessly ripped off Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech as she vowed to “not be deterred” in her legal fight — without expressly proclaiming her innocence.
“I believe that justice will rain down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream,” she told supporters who chanted “We Stand With Tish!” and “No Fear!” — a conscious callback to MLK’s line: “We will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream.”…