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Judge appears skeptical of DOJ arguments for keeping Lindsey Halligan as prosecutor in James Comey and Letitia James cases
A federal judge questioned Justice Department's authority as Comey and James claim Halligan's interim appointment violated the 120-day limit, seeking dismissal of indictments.
- On Thursday, a federal judge in Virginia heard a joint bid to disqualify Lindsey Halligan as interim U.S. attorney, with U.S. District Judge Cameron McGowan Currie presiding after being brought in from South Carolina.
- After Erik Siebert resigned under pressure, Pam Bondi installed Halligan in September, but defense attorneys argue the 120-day statutory limit forbids restarting the interim term.
- Halligan presented evidence alone to grand juries in the Comey and James cases and signed indictments, with two versions for Comey and 14 of 23 jurors supporting charges.
- The Justice Department argued Bondi's Oct. 31 ratification cures any defect in Halligan's authority and invoked U.S. Code 3288 plus the six-month re-indictment window, urging dismissals be without prejudice.
- Amid similar rulings in other districts, courts have questioned interim appointment practices; judges ruled Alina Habba, Sigal Chattah and Bill Essayli unlawfully served, prompting DOJ appeals and Pam Bondi's recent steps to shore up Halligan.
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20 Articles
20 Articles
'Gasps across courtroom' as Trump’s DOJ gets brutal grilling from judge
A federal judge in Virginia on Thursday heard arguments in a bid from former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James to disqualify President Donald Trump-appointed prosecutor Lindsey Halligan. And, according to a CNN report, the judge's questioning of the Department of J...
·United States
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Pointed questions and gasps in courtroom: Takeaways from hearing on fate of Trump’s handpicked prosecutor Lindsey Halligan
Attorneys for former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James battled the Justice Department in court Thursday over whether President Donald Trump lawfully appointed a prosecutor to go after his political enemies.
·Atlanta, United States
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Clinton Judge Appears Skeptical About Whether US Attorney Lindsey Halligan Was Lawfully Appointed, Will Issue Ruling By Thanksgiving
A Clinton judge appeared skeptical about whether US Attorney Lindsey Halligan was lawfully appointed to the role during a hearing on Thursday.
·United States
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources20
Leaning Left10Leaning Right3Center3Last UpdatedBias Distribution62% Left
Bias Distribution
- 62% of the sources lean Left
62% Left
L 62%
C 19%
R 19%
Factuality
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