New York Attorney General Letitia James’ recent legal win against the National Rifle Association (NRA) is poised to give Vice President Kamala Harris a significant advantage in her upcoming debate against former President Donald Trump, according to Florida prosecutor Dave Aronberg.
In late July, a judge barred Wayne LaPierre, the former head of the NRA, from holding a paid role in the organization for the next decade.
This ruling followed the second phase of a civil trial initiated by James, where LaPierre and another NRA executive were found liable for misusing millions of dollars on lavish personal expenses.
LaPierre has been ordered to repay nearly $4.4 million, while retired finance chief Wilson Phillips must return $2 million.
Attorney General James, who spearheads a coalition of Black attorneys general backing Harris’ presidential campaign, hailed the decision, stating:
“After years of corruption, the NRA and its senior leaders are finally being held accountable.”
Aronberg, the state attorney for Palm Beach County, discussed the implications on the Meidas Touch Network, describing the decision as a “stinging blow” to the NRA. He noted that during the debate, Harris would likely focus on Trump’s longstanding ties to the NRA, leveraging its diminished influence against him.
“You can count on Vice President Kamala Harris going after Donald Trump for his obsequiousness to the National Rifle Association,” Aronberg stated.
He also emphasized that the NRA’s extremist stance against mandatory background checks, assault weapons bans, and red flag laws could be a liability for Trump, particularly among suburban voters.
A debate between Harris and Trump is scheduled for September 10 on ABC News, although Trump has pushed for an earlier debate hosted by Fox News on Sept. 4.
Aronberg speculated that Trump might distance himself from his previous alignment with the NRA’s more radical positions, given the organization’s waning power.
The NRA’s influence has dwindled significantly, with membership reportedly dropping from nearly six million to 4.2 million over the past five years, according to The New York Times.
Aronberg highlighted this decline, asserting that the NRA’s reduced political clout could make it less effective in backing Trump’s 2024 campaign.
This legal victory adds to James’ track record against Trump. Earlier this year, she successfully pursued a civil fraud lawsuit, resulting in a judgment that found Trump had inflated his net worth to obtain loans. He was ordered to pay over $470 million in penalties, including interest.
As the political showdown between Harris and Trump approaches, James’ win against the NRA could play a key role in shaping the vice president’s debate narrative and campaign strategy.
