The Justice Department suffered another embarrassment after the indictment against former FBI Director James Comey was dismissed, with the court ruling that the attorney handling the case was not lawfully appointed.
Lindsey Halligan, the Donald Trump-affiliated insurance lawyer the Justice Department handpicked to pursue some of the president’s longtime political foes, including Comey, “was not lawfully appointed, and therefore, the indictment against him was dismissed.”
U.S. District Judge Cameron Currie, appointed by former President Bill Clinton, explained the decision after reviewing grand jury materials connected to Comey’s case.
Comey’s legal team argued that Halligan was unqualified to serve as U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia due to how she was appointed. They also contend that the prosecution itself is “vindictive and selective and should be dismissed on these grounds, as well.”
Attorney General Pam Bondi installed Halligan as interim U.S. attorney on Sept. 22 after the incumbent, Trump appointee Erik Siebert, resigned. Siebert reportedly stepped down rather than submit to a pressure campaign to prosecute both Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James. He had “failed to find sufficient evidence to support allegations that Comey had lied to Congress or that James had committed mortgage fraud,” allegations Trump has repeatedly pushed the Justice Department to investigate.
Just a day after Siebert’s resignation, Trump publicly called on Bondi to accelerate prosecutions against his enemies. Within 24 hours, Halligan, who “has zero prosecutorial experience,” was sworn in as the interim prosecutor for one of the nation’s busiest and most prestigious judicial districts. The Eastern District of Virginia is famously known as the “rocket docket.” James has also moved to challenge Halligan’s appointment.
The dismissal marks yet another high-profile misstep for the Justice Department and raises fresh questions about political influence in federal prosecutions.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
