Lindsey Halligan continues to cosplay as U.S. Attorney

Federal judges in the Eastern District of Virginia have publicly criticized the Trump Justice Department for continuing to list Lindsey Halligan as the interim U.S. Attorney in legal filings, more than a week after her appointment was deemed invalid. The issue has been raised by three different judges during separate stages of the now-dismissed case against former FBI Director James Comey.

One judge ordered Halligans name removed from filings, while another required an asterisk next to her name with a reference to the court order disqualifying her.

Grand Jury Refuses to Re-Indict Letitia James

A grand jury in Norfolk, Virginia declined to re-indict New York Attorney General Letitia James on alleged mortgage fraud charges that were initiated by the Trump administration. The original indictment had been dismissed because Halligan was not validly appointed.

Although the Department of Justice may attempt to pursue another indictment, repeated failures could strengthen James claim that her prosecution is politically motivated.

Challenges to Other Interim Trump U.S. Attorneys

In New York, a federal judge expressed doubts about the appointment of interim U.S. Attorney John Sarcone III. Sarcones role is being contested by Letitia James after he issued subpoenas to her office regarding previous investigations of Trump and the NRA. Like Halligan, Sarcone lacks prior prosecutorial experience. When his initial interim term expired, judges refused to extend it. Attorney General Pam Bondi then appointed him as a special attorney with indefinite powers. Judge Lorna Schofield has suggested he may be disqualified from all his claimed roles.

So far, judges have disqualified Trump-appointed U.S. attorneys in Virginia, Nevada, New Jersey, and California.

Author: Gavin Porter