WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that he intends to nominate senior White House aide Lindsey Halligan to serve as the top federal prosecutor for the Eastern District of Virginia. This nomination comes in the wake of significant upheaval within the office, especially following the abrupt departure of its U.S. attorney on Friday.
In a social media post made shortly after leaving the White House for an event at Mount Vernon, Trump expressed his confidence in Halligan, stating that she will be Fair, Smart, and will provide desperately needed JUSTICE FOR ALL. This announcement aligns with Trump's ongoing efforts to press Attorney General Pam Bondi to expedite legal actions against some of his political adversaries, a pursuit that has become a hallmark of his return to the presidency.
The nomination of Halligan is significant as it places one of Trump's legal defenders at the helm of an office currently facing turmoil due to political pressures. There have been allegations that administration officials are pushing for criminal charges against New York Attorney General Letitia James, a long-standing opponent of Trump. This investigation is focused on claims of mortgage fraud, specifically regarding discrepancies in paperwork related to James' properties in Brooklyn and Virginia.
Erik Siebert, who previously held the position of top prosecutor in the office, resigned amid this political pressure. The Justice Department has been conducting inquiries for months, yet there has been little evidence presented that would support an indictment against James. Her legal team has strongly denied any wrongdoing, framing the ongoing investigation as a politically motivated vendetta.
Lindsey Halligan has been closely associated with Trump’s legal team for several years. She notably served as one of his attorneys during the early stages of the FBI’s investigation into Trump’s handling of classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. More recently, Halligan has been involved in efforts by the White House to eliminate what they consider to be improper ideologies from Smithsonian properties.
Earlier on the same day of the nomination, Trump took to social media to address Attorney General Bondi, claiming he had analyzed over 30 statements criticizing his administration for perceived inaction on various investigations, including the one concerning Attorney General James. Trump's post referenced former FBI Director James Comey, whom he dismissed during his first term amid the Russia election interference investigation. This summer, the FBI confirmed it was investigating Comey following a controversial Instagram post that some Republicans interpreted as a call for violence against Trump. Comey has since clarified that the post was not intended as a threat and was removed once he recognized its misinterpretation.
When asked about his comments on Bondi as he left the White House, Trump insisted that his focus was on the need for swift action. “We have to act fast — one way or the other,” he stated. “If they’re guilty, they should be charged; if they’re not guilty, that’s fine. But we have to do it now.”
Trump's announcement of Halligan's nomination came shortly after another conservative lawyer, Mary Maggie Cleary, informed staff via email that she had been appointed as the acting U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. In her email, Cleary expressed her gratitude, stating, “While this appointment was unexpected, I am humbled to be joining your ranks.” Cleary, who has claimed she was falsely accused of being present at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, brings her own controversial background to the role.
As these developments unfold, the Eastern District of Virginia remains under scrutiny, with Trump's recent actions signaling a decisive shift in how political investigations will be handled under his administration.
