A federal judge has dismissed the Justice Department's cases against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James. The ruling came after the judge determined that the prosecutor overseeing the cases, Lindsey Halligan, was unlawfully appointed to her role. This decision has significant implications for the ongoing legal battles involving these prominent political figures.
Lindsey Halligan, a 36-year-old former insurance attorney, was appointed as the acting U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia by President Trump in late September 2022. This appointment followed the resignation of her predecessor, Erik Siebert, who stepped down under pressure from Trump to pursue charges against Comey and James. In a statement, Trump praised Halligan as a "tough, smart and loyal attorney" destined to excel in her new role.
However, Halligan's appointment became controversial when U.S. District Judge Cameron McGowan Currie ruled that it violated a federal statute limiting interim U.S. attorneys to 120 days in the position. Judge Currie noted that Siebert had been in the acting role since January, and after 120 days without Senate confirmation, only district courts can fill such vacancies. This ruling was pivotal, as it declared Halligan's authority to issue indictments against Comey and James as invalid.
In her ruling, Judge Currie stated that Halligan, described as a former White House aide without prior prosecutorial experience, lacked the lawful authority to present the indictments. Since Halligan was the only signature on those documents, they were deemed invalid. Currie emphasized that all actions taken by Halligan, including the indictment of Comey, were unlawful exercises of executive power and consequently set aside. This ruling opens the door for the Justice Department to appeal, a move that White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed would occur.
Halligan's legal career began in insurance law. She grew up in Broomfield, Colorado, where she participated in sports and beauty pageants before studying politics and broadcast journalism at Regis University in Denver. Her interest in law developed during an internship at the Denver City Attorney's Office. She earned her law degree from the University of Miami in 2013 and began her career at the law firm Cole, Scott & Kissane, specializing in insurance defense litigation. Halligan became a partner at the firm in 2018 and gained recognition for her successful defense in a significant property damage case.
In 2022, Halligan joined Trump's personal legal team, where she quickly gained prominence. Trump publicly lauded her legal prowess, stating on social media that she had successfully represented him in high-profile cases, including those related to the FBI raid on Mar-a-Lago. After Trump’s reelection in 2024, Halligan was appointed to the White House, serving as senior associate staff secretary and special assistant to the president. She played a visible role in the administration, frequently accompanying Trump at public events and leading controversial reviews of Smithsonian Institution museums.
While the cases against Comey and James were dismissed due to Halligan's lack of authority, legal experts and the defendants' attorneys accused her of procedural missteps. Halligan's predecessor, Siebert, had previously resisted charges against both officials due to insufficient evidence. Trump's public pressure for action against Comey and James led to Siebert's resignation, followed quickly by Halligan's appointment.
Shortly after taking office, Halligan announced an indictment against Comey for making a false statement and obstruction related to his 2020 Senate testimony. This indictment raised eyebrows as it came just days before the statute of limitations was set to expire, casting doubt on the thoroughness of Halligan's prosecution efforts. Legal experts pointed out that her rapid move to prosecute on her fourth day in office was unprecedented and likely contributed to significant legal errors.
The dismissal of the cases against Comey and James marks a critical juncture in the ongoing legal saga surrounding Trump and his associates. With the Justice Department's intention to appeal Judge Currie's ruling, the situation remains fluid. Legal analysts are closely monitoring the developments, as the outcomes could have far-reaching implications for political accountability and the judicial process in the United States.