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Justice Department Defends Halligan Amid Controversial Appointment

2/10/2026

Summary

Story summary

The Justice Department is defending Attorney General Pam Bondi's appointment of Lindsey Halligan as interim U.S. attorney amid an appeal of a judge's dismissal of indictments against New York Attorney General Letitia James and former FBI Director James Comey.
U.S. District Judge Cameron Currie ruled that Halligan's appointment violated a 120-day limit without Senate confirmation.
Justice Department lawyer Henry Whitaker argued that the indictments should remain valid, as they were issued by a grand jury.
Both Comey and James have pleaded not guilty to their charges, and the department has faced challenges in securing new indictments against James.

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Story summary

The Justice Department is defending Attorney General Pam Bondi's appointment of Lindsey Halligan as interim U.S. attorney amid an appeal of a judge's dismissal of indictments against New York Attorney General Letitia James and former FBI Director James Comey.
U.S. District Judge Cameron Currie ruled that Halligan's appointment violated a 120-day limit without Senate confirmation.
Justice Department lawyer Henry Whitaker argued that the indictments should remain valid, as they were issued by a grand jury.
Both Comey and James have pleaded not guilty to their charges, and the department has faced challenges in securing new indictments against James.