Judge Bars Lindsey Halligan From Using U.S. Attorney Title; Court Seeks Interim Replacement
A federal judge barred Lindsey Halligan from calling herself U.S. attorney in Virginia and the court solicited applicants to fill the now-vacant interim position immediately.
Overview
U.S. District Judge David Novak ordered Lindsey Halligan to stop identifying herself as United States Attorney in the Eastern District of Virginia, warning of disciplinary proceedings for violations.
Chief Judge M. Hannah Lauck posted a vacancy announcement, seeking applicants to serve as interim U.S. attorney after Halligan's 120-day appointment expired and legal challenges persisted.
A November ruling by U.S. District Judge Cameron Currie found Halligan's appointment unlawful under the Appointments Clause, leading to dismissal of indictments she had secured in politically charged cases.
The Justice Department, with Attorney General Pam Bondi and Deputy Todd Blanche, defended Halligan, appealed Judge Currie's ruling, and criticized Novak's inquiry as an overreach by the court.
Novak criticized the Department's filings as 'vitriolic,' called Halligan's continued use of the title a 'charade,' but for now spared her disciplinary referral citing her lack of prosecutorial experience.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame this as a legal-institutional rebuke of the administration’s attempt to install a loyalist, emphasizing procedural norms. Editorial choices—labels like "White House loyalist" and background about Siebert—combine with highlighted judicial quotes ("masquerading") to portray the moves as politicized; quoted language itself remains source content.
Sources (7)
FAQ
U.S. District Judge Cameron Currie ruled in November that Halligan's appointment violated the Appointments Clause, as it was an unlawful maneuver by the Trump administration to install her without Senate confirmation or proper district judge approval.
Judge Novak ordered Halligan to stop identifying herself as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, called her continued use of the title a 'charade' and 'masquerading,' and warned of disciplinary sanctions for false statements in court filings.
The Justice Department, led by Attorney General Pam Bondi and Deputy Todd Blanche, defended Halligan, appealed Judge Currie's ruling, argued Novak lacked authority, and filed responses that Novak described as 'vitriolic' and derisive.[1]
Chief Judge M. Hannah Lauck posted a vacancy announcement soliciting applicants to serve as interim U.S. Attorney after Halligan's 120-day appointment expired, amid ongoing legal challenges.[1]
Indictments secured by Halligan against James Comey and James (likely James Comey-related cases) in politically charged matters were dismissed due to her unlawful appointment.
History
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