A federal judge has dismissed criminal cases against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James, citing issues with the appointment of interim U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan. Judge Cameron Currie ruled that Halligan's appointment violated the Appointments Clause of the Constitution, rendering her actions, including the indictments against Comey and James, unlawful.
The cases were dismissed "without prejudice," meaning charges could potentially be refiled in the future. The ruling represents a significant setback for President Donald Trump, who had been advocating for legal action against Comey, James, and others he perceives as political adversaries. Comey faced charges of making a false statement and obstruction related to his past congressional testimony, while James was charged with bank fraud and making false statements concerning a mortgage obtained in 2020.
Judge Currie's decision emphasized that Halligan had been serving unlawfully in her role since her appointment on September 22, following the resignation of the previous U.S. attorney, Erik Siebert. Siebert reportedly resigned after expressing hesitance about pursuing charges against Comey, coinciding with Trump's public calls for Siebert's removal.
In light of the ruling, James expressed her gratitude for the support she received and reiterated her commitment to her role as Attorney General, describing the charges against her as baseless. The responses from Halligan's office, the White House, and the Department of Justice regarding the court's decision were not immediately available. As this is a developing story, further updates are expected.