A federal judge has thrown out the criminal charges against former FBI director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James, ruling that the prosecutor appointed by the Justice Department under pressure from President Donald Trump was illegitimate.
The judge’s decisions by U.S. District Judge Cameron McGowan Currie represent a significant rejection of the Trump administration’s attempts to target political rivals and expose its maneuvering to swiftly install a prosecutor aligned with the president’s interests.
The dismissal of Lindsey Halligan, a Trump loyalist prosecutor, marks the latest disqualification of a Trump-appointed attorney due to improper appointment procedures. This ruling is in line with similar decisions involving U.S. attorneys in California, Nevada, and New Jersey, where cases proceeded under different officials following disqualifications.
The judge declared that all actions stemming from Halligan’s faulty appointment, including the indictment of Comey, were unlawful exercises of executive power and are now nullified. While Comey and James sought to have the cases dismissed permanently, the judge decided to dismiss them temporarily without prejudice.
The future of these prosecutions remains uncertain, as the Justice Department has not indicated whether it will pursue an appeal or refile the cases. James faced charges related to a mortgage fraud investigation, while Comey was indicted shortly before the statute of limitations expired for false statements to Congress and obstructing a congressional proceeding.
In response to the ruling, Comey emphasized the importance of preventing the misuse of the Justice Department for political gain, calling it a threat to the nation’s rule of law and democratic values.
The challenge to Halligan’s appointment was part of a broader legal battle by Comey and James to dismiss the indictments on grounds of vindictiveness, with Comey’s lawyers also raising concerns about irregularities in the grand jury process.
The White House spokesperson stated that the case is far from over, hinting at a potential appeal by the Justice Department. Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed the intention to seek an immediate appeal and possibly retry the cases.
Comey’s dismissal has long been a target of Trump’s criticism, stemming from his role in investigating potential collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia. Similarly, James has faced Trump’s backlash after a successful lawsuit accusing him of financial fraud.
Both Comey and James welcomed the court’s decision, with James reaffirming her commitment to serving New Yorkers despite facing what she called baseless charges.
The legal teams for Comey and James highlighted Trump’s public calls for action against them as evidence of vindictive prosecution. Comey’s attorneys raised concerns about the grand jury process and alleged improper conduct by Halligan during the proceedings.
