US Judge Dismisses Indictments of Comey and Letitia James Over Interim Appointment Flaw

A U.S. judge has dismissed the criminal cases against former FBI Director James Comey and former New York Attorney General Letitia James, ruling that the prosecutor who filed the charges was unlawfully appointed.

Judge Cameron Currie determined that Lindsey Halligan, a former White House aide handpicked by President Trump to bring the charges, was never legally eligible to lead the case.

Both Comey and James have maintained their innocence, framing the prosecutions as politically motivated. In a statement, the White House told INLIBER that the indictments' facts remain unchanged and that the issue is far from settled.

In Currie's ruling, Halligan's appointment was found to violate the statute governing interim U.S. attorneys. The 120-day window for an interim appointment began on 21 January with Erik Siebert's designation, and Halligan's Sept 22 appointment occurred after that period ended, the judge noted.

Because Halligan acted unlawfully, Currie said, all actions tied to her appointment, including the Comey indictment, were unlawful and should be set aside.

The cases were dismissed without prejudice, leaving the door open for possible refiling if the DOJ can navigate the appointment issues.

The department did not immediately comment on the ruling. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the DOJ would appeal the decision, insisting Halligan's appointment was legal and accusing the judge of shielding Comey and James.

Comey welcomed the decision, calling it relief from a politically fueled pursuit and warning that Trump may pursue him again in the future. Comey, who led the FBI during the early investigations into Russian interference in 2016, had faced charges of making false statements and obstruction of justice in relation to the handling of the matter.

James issued a separate statement praising the outcome and vowing to continue serving New Yorkers despite facing federal bank fraud and false-statement charges related to financial dealings with a lender.

Observers note that the ruling underscores a major procedural hurdle in politically sensitive prosecutions, highlighting the need for strict adherence to interim appointment rules.

Key Takeaways

• The decision hinges on whether Halligan’s interim appointment met legal requirements, resulting in a dismissal without prejudice.
• The DOJ can refile if the appointment issue is resolved in a compliant manner.
• The White House says it will appeal and maintains Halligan was properly appointed.
• The ruling draws attention to tight timelines for interim U.S. attorneys under federal law.

Expert comment

Expert note: Legal analyst Dr. Maya Singh notes that procedural accuracy matters greatly in federal cases with political overtones, potentially shaping future prosecutions.

Summary

Overall, the decision centers on the legality of the interim prosecutor’s appointment. While the indictments are voided for now, the door remains open for refiling if the appointing authority resolves the issue, underscoring ongoing political tensions around investigations involving former President Trump.

Key insight: The case turns on the legitimacy of interim appointments, a procedural issue with broad implications for politically charged federal prosecutions. Source: BBC News

Explore useful articles in World News as of 24-11-2025. The article titled " US Judge Dismisses Indictments of Comey and Letitia James Over Interim Appointment Flaw " offers in-depth analysis and practical advice in the World News field. Each article is carefully crafted by experts to provide maximum value to readers.

The " US Judge Dismisses Indictments of Comey and Letitia James Over Interim Appointment Flaw " article expands your knowledge in World News, keeps you informed about the latest developments, and helps you make well-informed decisions. Each article is based on unique content, ensuring originality and quality.