A federal judge today dismissed criminal charges against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James, finding the appointment of the prosecutor chosen by US President Donald Trump in the case to be irregular.
The decision is a blow to President Trump's efforts to prosecute his political opponents and critics.
Lindsay Halligan, a former Trump lawyer, was appointed interim U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia in September to take over the two investigations, despite having no prior experience. Both Comey and James had denounced Halligan's improper appointment.
Judge Cameron McGowan Curry ruled that Halligan did not have the legal authority to bring charges against either Comey or James, but gave the Justice Department the ability to assign another prosecutor to handle the two investigations.
All actions resulting from the irregular appointment of Ms. Halligan are characterized as an illegal exercise of executive power and are annulled, according to the reasoning of the decision.
"Today's victory inspires me and I am grateful for the prayers and support I have received from across the country," Letitia James said in a statement. Her lawyer, Abby Lowell, said James will continue to challenge any further politically motivated charges through every legal avenue available to her.
"I am grateful that the court has dismissed the case against me, which was a prosecution based on hostility and incompetence, reflecting what the Department of Justice has become under Donald Trump," said James Comey, via a video he posted on the Instagram platform.
White House press secretary Caroline Levitt said tonight that the Justice Department will appeal Judge Cameron McGowan Curry's decision to dismiss charges against the former FBI director (2013-2017) for obstruction of justice and making false statements. During his first term in the White House, Trump fired Comey as the FBI was investigating possible Russian interference in the 2016 election campaign.
The 66-year-old New York attorney general was subsequently charged with making false statements in order to obtain a mortgage on more favorable terms. Democrat James had prosecuted Donald Trump and two of his sons, Donald Jr. and Eric. All three were found guilty of vastly inflating the value of Trump Organization shares in the 2010s in order to obtain loans on more favorable terms from banks and have better insurance conditions. After a high-profile trial, held in 2024, Donald Trump was sentenced to a fine of $464 million. Last August, this fine was overturned by an appeals court.
