Federal prosecutors on Friday defended the criminal case against New York Attorney General Letitia James, dismissing claims that the charges stem from political retaliation and insisting the indictment reflects a straightforward mortgage-fraud prosecution.

In a filing to the federal judge overseeing the case, government attorneys urged the court to let the prosecution move forward, countering arguments from James’ legal team that the charges were brought to punish one of President Donald Trump’s most outspoken critics.

Trump-appointed U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan brought the case just weeks after the president publicly demanded criminal action against several political opponents — a move that raised alarm among career prosecutors inside Halligan’s office.

But in Friday’s response, prosecutors said the indictment stands on its own merits.

“Federal courts must not allow defendants to escape a facially valid indictment supported by evidence because of public disputes between elected officials,” they wrote.

Addressing defense allegations of vindictive prosecution, prosecutors acknowledged Trump’s shifting comments about James — ranging from “disdain to deference” — but argued that the charging decision belonged solely to Halligan.

“The remarks of presidents and state attorneys general are important, but they do not have any bearing on the evidence on which the United States and the grand jury have relied in proceeding with indictment,” the filing states.

James, who last year won a major civil fraud judgment against Trump and has led multiple legal challenges to his administration’s policies, has pleaded not guilty to the charges. Her attorneys argue the case represents a politically motivated effort to intimidate a prominent Trump adversary.

The judge has not yet ruled on the defense motion to dismiss.