A federal judge in the Eastern District of Virginia (EDVA) ruled in November 2025 that Lindsey Halligan, appointed as interim U.S. Attorney by the Trump administration, was unlawfully installed in the position. The decision led to the dismissal of high-profile indictments against New York Attorney General Letitia James and former FBI Director James Comey, which Halligan had pursued shortly after taking office.
U.S. District Judge Cameron McGowan Currie determined that Halligan’s appointment violated federal law limiting interim U.S. Attorney terms to 120 days. The court found the Attorney General could not make a successive interim appointment after the initial one (held by Erik Siebert) expired, shifting appointment authority to the district court. All actions taken under Halligan’s defective authority, including the indictments, were deemed invalid.
During related proceedings, Halligan testified under oath that the full grand jury had not reviewed the final version of the Comey indictment before it was returned, with only limited jurors involved in later steps—a disclosure that drew further scrutiny.
Subsequent rulings by other EDVA judges, including Trump appointee David J. Novak, ordered Halligan to stop identifying herself as U.S. Attorney, describing her continued use of the title as a “charade” in defiance of court orders. The chief judge posted the position as vacant, and Halligan ultimately departed the Justice Department in January 2026.
The episode has intensified debates over the independence of the Justice Department, adherence to appointment statutes, and the balance of powers between the executive and judicial branches. The Department of Justice had defended the appointment and appealed the rulings. Halligan, a former Trump legal team member with limited prosecutorial experience, was viewed by critics as selected for loyalty rather than credentials.
🚨Federal Judge Rules Trump-Appointed Interim U.S. Attorney’s Appointment Unlawful, Sparking Legal Turmoil…See more
