Federal Judge Dismisses Cases Against Comey and James, Citing Unlawful Prosecutor Appointment

U.S. District Judge Cameron McGowan Currie dismissed criminal cases against James Comey and Letitia James, ruling the prosecutor, Lindsey Halligan, was unlawfully appointed, invalidating the indictments.

Judge Currie determined that Lindsey Halligan's appointment as interim U.S. Attorney violated federal law and the Constitution's Appointments Clause, making her service unauthorized and unconstitutional.

President Trump appointed Halligan, a former aide with no prosecutorial experience, as interim U.S. Attorney, bypassing Senate confirmation and challenging established legal norms for such appointments.

James Comey faced charges of lying to Congress and obstruction, while Letitia James was indicted for bank and mortgage fraud, with both pleading not guilty to politically motivated accusations.

The Justice Department plans to appeal the dismissals, which were without prejudice, allowing for potential refiling of charges with a lawfully appointed prosecutor in the future.