Trump sues New York attorney general, claiming ‘war of intimidation’

Donald Trump has sued the attorney general of New York state, Letitia James, over what he claims is a "relentless, pernicious, public, and unapologetic crusade" against him, in the shape of her recent civil lawsuit against the former president and three of his adult children, Donald Jr, Ivanka and Eric.

Filed on Wednesday in a circuit court in Florida, the lawsuit says James's suit, which she announced in a dramatic press conference in September, will cause "great harm" to the company, brand and reputation of the thrice-married, oft-sued, twice-impeached and extensively legally imperiled former president.

On Thursday, the New York Times reported that Trump's own lawyers sought to stop him filing what the paper called "a tirade of a lawsuit".

The complaint begins: "Extraordinary wrongdoing requires extraordinary relief.

"James has repeatedly abused her position as attorney general for the state of New York to pursue a relentless, pernicious, public and unapologetic crusade against President Trump, a resident of Palm Beach county, Florida, with the stated goal of destroying him personally, financially and politically.

"Suffice it to say that these actions are contrary to both the laws of New York and Florida."

The complaint also says James's suit "could virtually destroy [Trump's] highly profitable Florida properties".