Federal Judge Tosses Trump's Case Against James Comey, Citing Lack of Legitimacy in Prosecutor's Appointment.
A federal judge has dismissed the government's case against former FBI director James Comey, ruling that the sole prosecutor was not lawfully serving in her role. In a decision that has significant implications for the pursuit of justice under the Trump administration, Judge Cameron McGowan Currie found that Interim U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia Lindsey Halligan was "unlawfully appointed" by President Donald Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi.
The judge's ruling stated that Halligan had no lawful authority to bring charges against Comey, effectively rendering the entire prosecution effort invalid. This decision has been widely criticized by other judges, who have expressed concerns about the conduct of the case. Judge William Fitzpatrick described Halligan's approach as "profound missteps," citing an "indict first, investigate later" approach that has raised serious questions about the legitimacy of the charges.
The full indictment for Comey was never presented to the grand jury in September, which further called into question the validity of the prosecution. The judge's ruling means that Halligan is no longer qualified to serve as prosecutor in this case, and it remains unclear who will bring the case forward again within six months.
The significance of this decision cannot be overstated. If a private citizen were able to be prosecuted by a lawfully appointed attorney general, it would pose a serious threat to the rule of law and the principle that no one is above the law. As the judge noted in her ruling, such an arrangement "cannot be the law."
A federal judge has dismissed the government's case against former FBI director James Comey, ruling that the sole prosecutor was not lawfully serving in her role. In a decision that has significant implications for the pursuit of justice under the Trump administration, Judge Cameron McGowan Currie found that Interim U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia Lindsey Halligan was "unlawfully appointed" by President Donald Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi.
The judge's ruling stated that Halligan had no lawful authority to bring charges against Comey, effectively rendering the entire prosecution effort invalid. This decision has been widely criticized by other judges, who have expressed concerns about the conduct of the case. Judge William Fitzpatrick described Halligan's approach as "profound missteps," citing an "indict first, investigate later" approach that has raised serious questions about the legitimacy of the charges.
The full indictment for Comey was never presented to the grand jury in September, which further called into question the validity of the prosecution. The judge's ruling means that Halligan is no longer qualified to serve as prosecutor in this case, and it remains unclear who will bring the case forward again within six months.
The significance of this decision cannot be overstated. If a private citizen were able to be prosecuted by a lawfully appointed attorney general, it would pose a serious threat to the rule of law and the principle that no one is above the law. As the judge noted in her ruling, such an arrangement "cannot be the law."
this whole thing is so messed up! I mean, can you believe a private citizen being prosecuted by a non-lawfully appointed AG? That's like, totally not how it's supposed to work. Like, what even is the point of having an Attorney General if they're just gonna be hand-picked by the President? It's all just so sketchy 
Interesting that other judges are speaking out about this too... it's like, we need some real accountability here 
And then you got this judge saying that the whole case is invalid because of it? That's just wild 
. I mean, what's next? Is everyone going to be able to just pick their own prosecutor and start charging people willy-nilly? 
It's a pretty big deal, if you ask me 
.
anyway back to this news, can u believe that trump's trying to use some sketchy lawyer who was appointed by bondi? like what even is the point of having an attorney general if they're gonna be handpicked by the prez? 
and btw have you seen those old episodes of "the office"? michael scott would've loved this drama 