A federal judge has ordered prosecutor Lindsey Halligan to justify why she is still using the title of US Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. Her appointment to the position was previously ruled unlawful by the court.
Halligan was appointed in September by former President Donald Trump. She took over after her predecessor, Erik Siebert, resigned. Siebert had faced pressure to bring charges against Trump critics, including former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James. Halligan quickly began handling high-profile cases, but these were later dismissed after a court determined her appointment was unconstitutional.
Judge David Novak gave Halligan seven days to explain her continued use of the title. She must detail why she identifies herself as US Attorney, why her identification should not be removed from court filings, and why it does not constitute a false or misleading statement. If she fails to provide a satisfactory response, she could face disciplinary action.
Who is Lindsey Halligan?
Halligan has been a federal prosecutor for many years. Her appointment was originally intended to be interim, but legal challenges have called it into question because the administration had already used one interim appointment in the office, making her placement legally problematic. Despite this, she has continued to sign documents and manage cases as the chief prosecutor in the district.
The order from Judge Novak adds to the ongoing legal scrutiny of Halligan’s position and the Trump administration’s handling of interim appointments in the Eastern District of Virginia.
