Cases Dismissed

A federal judge dismissed criminal charges against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General (AG) Letitia James.

Context

President Trump has publicly called for the prosecution of Comey and James for years. Trump fired Comey during his first term in 2017, while James secured a civil fraud judgment against Trump's real estate business last year. After Trump returned to office this January, he urged the Justice Department to charge both individuals with crimes. When the initial prosecutor concluded there wasn't sufficient evidence to support charges, Trump removed him and pushed AG Pam Bondi to install one of his former personal attorneys, Lindsey Halligan, who then secured indictments against both within days.

Cases Tossed

A federal judge ruled on Monday that Bondi had no authority to appoint Halligan as interim US Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and dismissed the charges against James Comey and Letitia James.

Under federal law, the attorney general can make temporary appointments for 120 days, after which district court judges must select a replacement if the Senate hasn't confirmed a nominee. The judge determined that Bondi's attempt to bypass this process by installing Halligan was unlawful, making all of Halligan's actions invalid.

Decision Details

The judge dismissed both indictments without prejudice, meaning prosecutors could potentially refile charges under a properly appointed prosecutor.

However, Comey's attorneys argued that the statute of limitations in his case expired shortly after his initial September indictment, meaning the government has run out of time to charge him again. Comey faced charges for allegedly lying to Congress, while James was charged with bank fraud related to a mortgage application.

Reactions

James said in a statement that she was "heartened by today's victory and grateful for the prayers and support I have received from around the country." She added, "I remain fearless in the face of these baseless charges as I continue fighting for New Yorkers every single day." 

Comey released a statement expressing gratitude for the dismissal and calling the case against him a “prosecution based on malevolence and incompetence.”