Judge Dismisses Cases Against james Comey and Letitia James
WASHINGTON - A federal judge today dismissed cases against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James, citing concerns over the legal appointment of Lindsey Halligan, the interim U.S. attorney for the eastern District of Virginia who brought the charges. Judge Cameron Currie ruled that Halligan was not legally appointed to the position.
The dismissal throws into question the future of any further prosecution related to the investigations initiated under Halligan’s leadership. Comey and James faced scrutiny stemming from investigations into their conduct, but will now not be subject to criminal charges based on the evidence presented to a grand jury under Halligan’s direction. The cases centered on allegations that required grand jury approval, which Halligan secured shortly after assuming her role.
Halligan, a former lawyer for President Trump, was appointed to the interim position at Trump’s direction following the resignation of Erik Siebert. Siebert stepped down after facing pressure from Trump for failing to bring charges in a separate inquiry. Trump publicly stated his desire for Siebert’s removal, telling reporters, “I want him out.”
Comey’s legal team had challenged the legality of Halligan’s appointment, arguing she bypassed the standard congressional approval process. Despite lacking prior prosecution experience, Halligan quickly moved the Comey case before a grand jury, which found sufficient evidence to proceed.President Trump voiced his confidence in Halligan’s ability to “get things moving” following the grand jury’s decision.
Prior to her role as interim U.S. attorney,Halligan was involved in a White house effort to remove what was described as “improver ideology” from the Smithsonian Institution and its museums.
