A New York appeals court has significantly restricted the scope of Attorney General Letitia James' civil lawsuit against the Trump family. The court dismissed Ivanka Trump from the case and limited the timeframe for alleged fraudulent transactions that can be considered.

The Appellate Division in Manhattan ruled that James can only pursue claims related to transactions that occurred after specific dates in 2014 and 2016. This decision effectively removes several years' worth of transactions from the scope of the lawsuit. A Trump spokesperson welcomed the ruling, stating it was a positive step towards ending a case they believe should never have been initiated. They expressed confidence that the facts would ultimately demonstrate the legitimacy of President Trump's business practices and his generation of substantial profits for the involved financial institutions.

James's original lawsuit, filed in September, alleged that Trump and his company misrepresented the value of his assets to banks and other entities. The suit named Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump, and Ivanka Trump, along with associates and businesses, as participants in these alleged fraudulent activities.

James asserted that Trump inflated his net worth by billions of dollars with the assistance of his children. This lawsuit is part of a history of legal challenges brought by James against the Trump administration during his presidency, covering issues ranging from environmental policy to healthcare.

Trump previously sued James, claiming she was targeting him and his family for political reasons. He later voluntarily dismissed that lawsuit. Trump was deposed twice as part of James' investigation, initially invoking his Fifth Amendment rights but later answering questions. He maintains his innocence, characterizing the investigation as politically motivated.