Trump‘s Beauty Queen Prosecutor Facing Sidelines After Comey/james Case Setback
The Justice Department is navigating fallout from a judge’s ruling that invalidated the appointment of special counsel Rachel Halligan, who was tasked with investigating the handling of the inquiry into Donald Trump by former FBI Director James Comey and New york Attorney General Letitia James. Halligan, previously known for her work on the Miss USA Institution case involving Trump, is now facing an uncertain future within the DOJ as the department considers its next steps, including a potential appeal and internal messaging to clarify her status.
The legal challenge to Halligan’s appointment has thrown the future of the politically sensitive case into doubt and exposed internal disarray within the DOJ. The situation underscores the ongoing legal battles stemming from Trump’s accusations of a “witch hunt” and raises questions about the department’s handling of investigations involving the former president and his adversaries. The DOJ is weighing an appeal of the ruling and may attempt to refile charges, while together attempting to manage the narrative surrounding Halligan’s position.
Halligan was assigned to investigate Comey and James at the behest of Trump,who reportedly pressured former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi to bring charges against them,telling her she couldn’t “delay any longer.” The case stemmed from Trump’s claims that both officials engaged in politically motivated misconduct during investigations related to him.
A judge recently ruled that Halligan’s appointment was unlawful, prompting the DOJ to consider an appeal. Despite this, an official close to DOJ headquarters told CNN that Halligan is not being excluded from discussions regarding her future and that the department intends to issue a memo clarifying she was not removed due to the ruling.
Internal communications reveal a degree of confusion surrounding Halligan’s title, with a Justice Department email instructing staff to refer to her as “Unites States Attorny” and “special “U.S. Attorney.” As of Monday morning, Halligan remained listed as the lead attorney on the U.S. Attorney’s office for the Eastern District of Virginia’s website.
The Daily Beast has reached out to the DOJ and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia for comment.
