Overview
- U.S. District Judge Cameron McGowan Currie dismissed the indictments on November 24 after finding the acting prosecutor lacked lawful authority to bring the cases.
- Lindsey Halligan, a former personal lawyer to President Donald Trump with no prior prosecutorial experience, was rapidly installed after predecessor Erik Siebert declined to pursue charges.
- The dismissals were entered without prejudice, and the court signaled the government could refile if a duly appointed prosecutor takes over.
- The Justice Department said it will appeal the ruling, while James Comey’s lawyers argue the statute of limitations likely expired in September, which could bar any renewed case against him.
- An earlier federal judge criticized serious investigative and legal errors in the Comey matter, and critics widely characterize the prosecutions as driven by political pressure.