Summary
A federal judge dismissed cases brought by the Justice Department against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James. The judge ruled that the cases were invalid because the U.S. attorney who secured the indictments was unlawfully appointed.
Key Facts
- U.S. District Judge Cameron Currie dismissed the cases due to unlawful appointment of interim U.S. attorney Lindsey Halligan.
- Halligan's lack of prior experience as a prosecutor and her appointment timing were factors in the judge's decision.
- The Justice Department acknowledged that the grand jury did not see the final version of the charges against Comey.
- Comey, charged with making a false statement and obstructing Congress, pleaded not guilty and denied wrongdoing.
- Letitia James, accused of mortgage fraud, also pleaded not guilty.
- The cases were part of President Donald Trump's administration's efforts against critics of his presidency.
- The judge called the actions taken under Halligan's appointment unlawful exercises of power.
- Some of Trump's supporters expressed frustration over the judge's decision, with calls for impeachment of the judge.
