Controversial Tenure of Justice Department Prosecutor Ends Amid Legal Challenges
Lindsey Halligan, a prosecutor for the U.S. Department of Justice, has stepped down from her role after her temporary appointment was deemed illegal by the courts. Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed Halligan’s departure, marking the conclusion of her 120-day term as the interim U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia.
Halligan’s appointment, which began in September, faced scrutiny when a court ruled two months ago that her selection was unlawful. The appointment came under further question as judges expressed doubts about her legal authority to hold the position. Bondi announced Halligan’s exit through a post on X, criticizing the challenges faced by the administration in staffing law enforcement positions, stating, “The circumstances that led to this outcome are deeply misguided.”
President Trump had appointed Halligan, who was previously his personal lawyer and a White House aide, despite her lack of experience as a federal prosecutor. She was tasked with leading a significant office within the Justice Department, where she secured indictments against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James. However, these indictments were later dismissed following a judge’s ruling on the illegality of her appointment.
Despite the ruling, the Trump administration retained Halligan in her role until two judges insisted her tenure should end. Her departure aligns with a pattern of Trump allies leaving amid judicial scrutiny over the administration’s appointment practices. Last month, Alina Habba, another of Trump’s former personal attorneys, resigned after being found to be serving unlawfully.
The leadership of the U.S. attorney’s office in the Eastern District of Virginia remains uncertain, as the office has experienced significant turnover since Erik Siebert’s replacement by Halligan last September. Chief Judge M. Hannah Lauck has called for expressions of interest for the position, posting a vacancy announcement on the court’s website.
U.S. District Judge David Novak took concrete steps to enforce Halligan’s departure by striking her title from court documents and warning of disciplinary action if she continued to present herself as the U.S. attorney. Novak criticized the Justice Department’s defense of Halligan, describing it as more suitable for “a cable news talk show.”
Novak stated, “No matter all of her machinations, Ms. Halligan has no legal basis to represent to this Court that she holds the position.” He emphasized the need for compliance with court orders, describing Halligan’s continued representation as a “charade.”
Under pressure from Trump, Halligan initially succeeded in bringing charges against Comey and James, a move that was supported by Trump in a Truth Social post urging Bondi to act. However, U.S. District Judge Cameron McGowan Currie later ruled her appointment invalid, leading to the dismissal of both indictments. The Justice Department is appealing this decision.
In a statement, Halligan acknowledged the end of her term, attributing her departure to the legal uncertainties surrounding her appointment. She expressed frustration with the court’s actions, stating, “The court’s remedy did not match its rhetoric,” as her appointment was declared unlawful without appointing a replacement.
