Judge Dismisses Comey Case, Declares Trump-Appointed Prosecutor Illegally Installed

 

 Former FBI Director James Comey testifies before a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on Russia's alleged interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., June 8, 2017. 

A federal judge has dismissed criminal charges against former FBI Director James Comey, delivering a sharp rebuke to the Trump-appointed prosecutor who pursued the case. The ruling marks a significant setback for efforts by President Donald Trump’s allies to prosecute perceived political opponents.

U.S. District Judge Cameron Currie found that Lindsey Halligan, the interim U.S. attorney who brought the indictment, was unlawfully appointed. Halligan, a former Trump lawyer with no prior prosecutorial experience, bypassed Senate confirmation when she was installed to lead the Eastern District of Virginia. The judge concluded that all actions taken under her authority—including the indictment of Comey—were invalid.

The case against Comey, filed in September, alleged misconduct tied to his handling of FBI documents. However, Judge Currie ruled that the charges were tainted by Halligan’s improper appointment, dismissing them “without prejudice.” This means the Justice Department could theoretically refile, though Comey’s legal team has argued that statutes of limitation make that unlikely.

The dismissal also extended to New York Attorney General Letitia James, another Trump critic who faced similar charges under Halligan’s leadership. Both cases were widely viewed as politically motivated, given Trump’s public calls for prosecution of officials who investigated him.

Legal experts say the ruling underscores the importance of proper prosecutorial appointments and highlights the risks of politicizing the Justice Department. For Comey, who was fired by Trump in 2017 while overseeing the Russia election interference probe, the decision represents a vindication after years of political attacks.

In short: The judge’s ruling not only clears Comey but also delivers a stinging rebuke to Trump’s attempt to weaponize the Justice Department through an unlawfully appointed prosecutor.