Opinion: Critics Say AG Tish James Prioritizes Spotlight Over Local Crime Fighting

This New York Post opinion piece criticizes New York Attorney General Letitia "Tish" James for devoting office resources and attention to high-profile national matters and political fights instead of confronting escalating local crime and alleged fraud. The column cites a Bronx mother's public rebuke and endorsement of AG challenger Saritha Komatireddy as a focal moment that, the editorial says, exposes James's priorities.

A Bronx mother, Migdalia Martinez, whose 12-year-old son was murdered, publicly accused James of failing to control rising crime. Martinez endorsed Saritha Komatireddy, and the editorial frames that endorsement as a contrast between James and a prosecutor the paper portrays as focused on public safety.

The opinion cites two statistics presented as measures of worsening public safety since James took office in 2019: a 44% increase in felony assault citywide and a 59% increase in subway felony assault. The column uses those figures to argue James's policies have coincided with more violent incidents.

The piece catalogs a set of criminal-justice reforms James has supported during her time in office, and argues those reforms reduced traditional law-enforcement tools. Items mentioned include:

• Decriminalization of certain low-level offenses
• Raise the Age legislation
• No-cash-bail policies
• Discovery reform
• Right to Know and How Many Stops acts
• Closing Rikers Island
• Chokehold ban
• Marijuana legalization
• A stated priority to end traffic stops for minor violations

The editorial contends these moves amount to dismantling "the machinery of public safety," and claims James's office has used its capital chasing national headlines rather than ramping up efforts against local criminal activity.

Allegations about office priorities

The column asserts the attorney general's office has not used its authorities to address local crime in practical ways it could—such as targeting cross-borough criminal crews or stepping in when local prosecutors are overwhelmed. It further alleges the office has neglected responsibilities like policing nonprofits and fighting Medicaid or public-program fraud, because those matters were not prioritized.

Saritha Komatireddy is presented as a prosecutor with experience prosecuting major drug traffickers and terrorism cases. The editorial frames her as a hands-on public-safety candidate contrasted with James.

The opinion urges voters concerned about public safety to consider Komatireddy, arguing James's record of backing reforms and pursuing national-profile matters leaves ordinary New Yorkers exposed to rising violent crime and neglected fraud enforcement. The column positions the upcoming choice for attorney general as a clear preference between a national-profile incumbent and a prosecutorial alternative focused on local crime.