As Lindsey Halligan drove back to the Washington, DC area on Monday, she was left grappling with her uncertain future as the US attorney for the Alexandria, Virginia office. After a direct phone call from Attorney General Pam Bondi, Halligan found herself without clear answers regarding her employment status, according to a source familiar with the situation.
The turmoil began earlier that day when a federal judge ruled that Halligan was unlawfully serving in her position. Judge Cameron McGowan Currie determined that the Justice Department had exhausted the 120-day period allotted for interim US attorneys. As a result, the indictments against former FBI Director James Comey and Halligan's criminal case against New York Attorney General Letitia James were deemed invalid.
This ruling intensified the chaos within the Justice Department, particularly among prosecutors in Halligan's office, who were left uncertain about their supervisory structure. Many wondered whether to continue listing Halligan as their supervisor on court documents, creating an environment of confusion and doubt.
Halligan's brief tenure, lasting just 63 days, has led to significant concerns regarding the credibility of the Alexandria-based prosecutors' office. Many insiders fear that the recent events have undermined the office's reputation, diminishing trust in its capability to effectively pursue justice. “There’s less trust in the office, generally speaking,” remarked one person familiar with the situation.
Days before a critical five-year window closed for prosecuting Comey, former US Attorney Erik Siebert was ousted from his position. Siebert had hesitated to bring charges against Comey and James due to pushback from career prosecutors. Shortly after Siebert's removal, President Donald Trump publicly urged Bondi to take action against his political adversaries, specifically mentioning Comey and James.
In a surprising turn, Trump suggested that Halligan, who had limited legal experience and primarily worked on civil matters for Trump, be appointed to lead the Virginia office. Despite her lack of prosecutorial experience, Halligan's ambition and loyalty to Trump positioned her as a key player in the administration's efforts to target political opponents.
Halligan's installation as US Attorney quickly led to internal strife among career prosecutors in the Eastern District of Virginia. Historically viewed as a stable environment for legal professionals, the office experienced a significant shake-up shortly after Halligan's arrival. Key personnel, including top national security prosecutor Michael Ben’Ary, were dismissed, leading to widespread discontent among remaining staff.
As Halligan pressed forward with prosecutions, including the indictment of James on mortgage fraud charges, further turmoil ensued. Experienced prosecutors were removed from their roles, and whispers of leaking information to the media began to circulate, heightening paranoia within the office.
Halligan's handling of the grand jury proceedings has also come under scrutiny. Two judges in the Eastern District of Virginia raised concerns over statements made to grand jurors that appeared to misstate legal principles. This has further jeopardized the integrity of the indictments against both Comey and James.
As Justice Department officials deliberate on how to revive the cases against Comey and James, Halligan's future remains uncertain. Despite Bondi's recent praise, Halligan's reputation within the department has taken a hit. As of now, her name still appears on court filings, but there are ongoing discussions about how to officially denote her role.
With no clear directives from Justice Department headquarters, it remains to be seen if Halligan will return to the Alexandria office, or if the department will take further steps regarding the pending cases. The complexity of the situation underscores the challenges facing the Justice Department as it navigates political pressures and legal standards.