A US judge has dismissed criminal cases against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James, ruling that the prosecutor handpicked by former President Donald Trump to charge his political adversaries was unlawfully appointed.
In a ruling on Monday, Judge Cameron Currie found that prosecutor Lindsey Halligan, a former White House aide with no prior prosecutorial experience, was not authorized to bring the charges.
The judge determined that the statutory deadline for appointing an interim attorney had expired, rendering Halligan’s appointment and all subsequent actions—including securing the indictments—”unlawful exercises of executive power.”
The cases, which Comey and James had consistently denounced as politically motivated, were dismissed “without prejudice,” meaning they could theoretically be refiled. The White House immediately announced it would appeal the dismissal “very soon,” accusing the judge of “trying to shield” the defendants.
The ruling represents a significant legal setback for Trump’s efforts to prosecute his rivals. Comey was charged with making false statements and obstruction, while James faced charges of bank fraud. Both have been frequent targets of Trump’s public attacks.
In response, Comey expressed relief that a prosecution “based on malevolence and incompetence” had ended but acknowledged, “Trump will probably come after me again.” James stated she was “heartened by today’s victory” and remained “fearless in the face of these baseless charges.”
By James Kisoo
