Overview
- Justice Department lawyers filed a lengthy brief to the Fourth Circuit seeking reversal of a November ruling that voided the indictments after finding Halligan’s appointment unlawful under the 120‑day limit.
- Prosecutors argue Judge Cameron Currie improperly enlarged the district court’s appointment power and assert the attorney general retains authority to staff vacancies.
- They characterize Attorney General Pam Bondi’s initial citation error as a paperwork mistake that was cured by subsequent orders ratifying Halligan’s actions.
- The appeal contends James and Comey were charged by independent grand juries, so the indictments should not be invalidated based on Halligan’s title.
- Lindsey Halligan exited the DOJ on Jan. 20 after a judge warned of discipline over her use of the U.S. attorney title, and efforts to restart the cases have faltered, including two failed attempts to re‑indict Letitia James reported by NBC News.