Federal Judge Rules Prosecutor’s Appointment Was Legally Invalid
Salman J. Choudhury
A federal judge has dismissed criminal cases filed against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James, ruling that the prosecutor who brought the charges was not legally appointed. Judge Cameron McGowan Currie determined that U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan did not have a valid, lawful appointment, rendering her actions—including filing criminal cases—invalid and unenforceable.
Reason for Dismissal: “Improper Appointment”
In the ruling, the judge stated:
• Halligan’s appointment process violated federal requirements
• She lacked the legal authority to bring criminal charges
• Therefore, the cases she filed had no legal standing
The dismissal was issued “without prejudice”, meaning a properly appointed U.S. attorney can refile charges in the future.
What Were the Allegations?
Against James Comey
• Providing false information to Congress
• Misleading the Department of Justice
(Comey has consistently referred to the accusations as “politically motivated retaliation.”)
Against Letitia James
• Mortgage fraud–related allegations
(She stated the charges were “politically motivated attacks.”)
Statements from Comey and Letitia James
James Comey:
“I’m grateful for the court’s decision. These were baseless, politically driven charges.”
Letitia James:
“These false allegations were meant to undermine my work, but they failed. I will continue fighting for the people of New York.”
White House Response
The White House commented that:
• The decision is not final
• They plan to appeal
• They believe the underlying allegations are “serious and should not be dismissed on procedural grounds”
Legal and Political Significance
Legal experts note that:
• The invalid appointment raises concerns about oversight and procedural integrity in federal prosecutions
• Prosecutorial errors of this scale are rare and may prompt administrative reforms
• In Comey’s case, the Statute of Limitations may prevent refiling, making future prosecution unlikely
This ruling has fueled ongoing national debates about political pressure on law enforcement institutions.
Conclusion
The dismissal marks a major development in high-profile political-legal disputes. While the charges have been dismissed for now:
• Appeals may follow
• A new, properly appointed prosecutor could refile
• The controversy surrounding both figures is unlikely to disappear soon
This ruling represents not a conclusion but potentially the beginning of a new phase in an already high-stakes legal battle.
