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Charges against Comey, James get dismissed
(MENAFN) A US judge has dismissed criminal charges against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James, ruling that the prosecutor who filed the charges was unlawfully appointed, according to reports.
Judge Cameron Currie found that Lindsey Halligan, who was handpicked by President Donald Trump to bring the cases against two of his political opponents, was never legally authorized to assume the post. Both Comey and James have consistently denied wrongdoing and described the prosecutions as politically motivated.
In response to the ruling, the White House told the BBC: "The facts of the indictments against Comey and James have not changed and this will not be the final word on this matter."
President Trump has repeatedly attacked Comey and James on social media, declaring, "They're all guilty as hell," and later adding, "JUSTICE MUST BE SERVED, NOW!!!"
Judge Currie wrote Monday that Halligan, a former White House aide with no prior prosecutorial experience, was not authorized to present the charges to the grand jury.
"All actions flowing from Ms Halligan's defective appointment, including securing and signing Mr Comey's indictment, were unlawful exercises of executive power and are hereby set aside," Currie ruled.
Halligan had been named to replace Erik Siebert, an interim US attorney who resigned in September amid pressure from the Trump administration to file charges against Comey and James. Currie determined that Halligan’s appointment violated the statute governing interim US attorneys, which gives the attorney general 120 days to make an interim appointment.
Siebert’s designation began on January 21, and once the 120-day window closed on May 21, the attorney general’s authority to appoint a replacement had expired. Halligan had been serving unlawfully since her September 22 appointment.
The cases were dismissed "without prejudice," allowing the Justice Department the possibility to refile charges in the future. The department did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the Justice Department plans to appeal the dismissal “very soon,” maintaining that Halligan had been legally appointed and accusing the judge of “trying to shield” Comey and James.
Judge Cameron Currie found that Lindsey Halligan, who was handpicked by President Donald Trump to bring the cases against two of his political opponents, was never legally authorized to assume the post. Both Comey and James have consistently denied wrongdoing and described the prosecutions as politically motivated.
In response to the ruling, the White House told the BBC: "The facts of the indictments against Comey and James have not changed and this will not be the final word on this matter."
President Trump has repeatedly attacked Comey and James on social media, declaring, "They're all guilty as hell," and later adding, "JUSTICE MUST BE SERVED, NOW!!!"
Judge Currie wrote Monday that Halligan, a former White House aide with no prior prosecutorial experience, was not authorized to present the charges to the grand jury.
"All actions flowing from Ms Halligan's defective appointment, including securing and signing Mr Comey's indictment, were unlawful exercises of executive power and are hereby set aside," Currie ruled.
Halligan had been named to replace Erik Siebert, an interim US attorney who resigned in September amid pressure from the Trump administration to file charges against Comey and James. Currie determined that Halligan’s appointment violated the statute governing interim US attorneys, which gives the attorney general 120 days to make an interim appointment.
Siebert’s designation began on January 21, and once the 120-day window closed on May 21, the attorney general’s authority to appoint a replacement had expired. Halligan had been serving unlawfully since her September 22 appointment.
The cases were dismissed "without prejudice," allowing the Justice Department the possibility to refile charges in the future. The department did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the Justice Department plans to appeal the dismissal “very soon,” maintaining that Halligan had been legally appointed and accusing the judge of “trying to shield” Comey and James.
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