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The judge also dismissed a case against New York Attorney General Letitia James
Brendan RasciusIn New YorkMonday 24 November 2025 17:49 GMTComments
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A federal judge has tossed high-profile cases against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James after finding that the prosecutor was illegally appointed.
US District Judge Cameron McGowan Currie dismissed both indictments without prejudice on Monday afternoon, undercutting President Donald Trump’s efforts to prosecute his political adversaries.
Currie stated that Lindsey Halligan — the interim US Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia who brought both cases — had been unlawfully appointed by Trump.
She agreed with defense attorneys who argued that Halligan, a former White House aide with no prior experience as a prosecutor, had stayed in office past the 120-period that an interim US attorney is allowed to serve before Senate confirmation or approval from the district’s judges.
Because of this, Currie wrote that “all actions flowing from Ms. Halligan’s defective appointment” including the cases against Comey and James “were unlawful exercises of executive power and are hereby set aside.”
Following the decision, James released a statement saying, “I am heartened by today’s victory and grateful for the prayers and support I have received from around the country. I remain fearless in the face of these baseless charges as I continue fighting for New Yorkers every single day.”
The ruling caps off a monthslong legal saga that began shortly after Halligan was sworn into office in late September.
On September 25, Halligan secured a two-count criminal indictment against Comey relating to charges of making false statements and obstructing a congressional proceeding. Comey pleaded not guilty.
The following month, Halligan brought a criminal indictment against James on charges of bank fraud and making false statements in connection with a loan for a house she purchased in Virginia in 2020.
Both indictments were filed shortly after Trump called on Attorney General Pam Bondi to take action against his political opponents.
In a September post on Truth Social, the Republican president wrote, “Pam: I have reviewed over 30 statements and posts saying that, essentially, ‘same old story as last time, all talk, no action. Nothing is being done. What about Comey, Adam ‘Shifty’ Schiff, Leticia??? They’re all guilty as hell, but nothing is going to be done.’”
“They impeached me twice, and indicted me (5 times!), OVER NOTHING,” Trump added. “JUSTICE MUST BE SERVED, NOW!!!”
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A judge has tossed cases against James Comey and Letitia James after finding that the prosecutor was illegally appointed. (Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)More about
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