A federal judge has dismissed indictments against New York Attorney General Letitia James and former FBI Director James Comey after learning the Donald Trump administration illegally the prosecutor in the case.
On Monday (November 24), U.S. District Judge Cameron Currie tossed out the criminal indictments against Comey and James upon finding out that prosecutor Lindsey Halligan, a former Trump attorney, was appointed after President Trump urged Attorney General Pam Bondi to prosecute the two officials. Currie dismissed both of the indictments “without prejudice,” meaning a prosecutor can file the cases again.
Following Trump’s direction, Bondi appointed Halligan interim U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. Halligan then presented and signed indictments against Comey and James. Since Halligan was not only unlawfully appointed, but the only prosecutor to present and sign off on both cases, Currie ruled the cases should be voided.
RELATED: Letitia James Says Prepared To Seize Trump’s Buildings If He Can’t Pay His $354M Civil Fraud Fine
In the ruling in James Comey’s case, Currie described the insurance lawyer as “a former White House aide with no prior prosecutorial experience” who lacked the authority to present any case to a grand jury. Currie further stated:
“Because Ms. Halligan had no lawful authority to present the indictment, I will grant Mr. Comey’s motion and dismiss the indictment. All actions flowing from Ms. Halligan’s defective appointment, including securing and signing Mr. Comey’s indictment, were unlawful exercises of executive power and are hereby set aside.”
Currie made similar claims while dismissing Letitia James’ case, stating:
“This case presents the unique, if not unprecedented, situation where an unconstitutionally appointed prosecutor, ‘exercising power [she] did not lawfully possess,’… acted alone in conducting a grand jury proceeding and securing an indictment.”
James Comey And Letitia James Speak After Federal Judge Tosses Indictments; Attorney General Pam Bondi And White Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Also React
Attorney General Pam Bondi has since reacted to the dismissal of the two cases. During a press conference in Memphis, Tennessee, Bondi said the Department of Justice will “be taking all available legal action, including an immediate appeal.” Bondi also came to Halligan’s defense and called her “an excellent” attorney.
Additionally, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters, “Lindsey Halligan was legally appointed, and that’s the administration’s position.”
Elsewhere, James Comey took to Instagram with a video, stating:
“I’m grateful that the court ended the case against me, which was a prosecution based on malevolence and incompetence and a reflection of what the Department of Justice has become under Donald Trump, which is heartbreaking. This case mattered to me personally, obviously, but it matters most because a message has to be sent that the president of the United States cannot use the Department of Justice to target his political enemies. I know that Donald Trump will probably come after me again, and my attitude is going to be the same. I’m innocent. I am not afraid, and I believe in an independent federal judiciary, the gift from our founders that protects us from a would-be tyrant.”
Bondi also commented on Comey’s statement. She told reporters:
“I’m not worried about someone who has been charged with a very serious crime. His alleged actions were a betrayal of public trust.”
Meanwhile, Letitia James praised the federal judge’s ruling, stating:
“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.”
Her lawyer, Abbe Lowell, also shared a statement, claiming the judge’s order “acknowledges what’s been clear about this case from the beginning. The President went to extreme measures to substitute one of his allies to bring these baseless charges after career prosecutors refused. We will continue to challenge any further politically motivated charges through every lawful means available.”
#Socialites, be sure to check out the post below, then leave us your thoughts in a comment after!