63 Days with Lindsey Halligan: Inside the Journey from White House Adviser to Trump’s Chosen Prosecutor | CNN Politics

As Lindsey Halligan drove back to the Washington, DC area, uncertainty loomed over her role as a US attorney in Alexandria, Virginia. She had just received a call from Attorney General Pam Bondi, but it offered little clarity about her future.

Earlier that day, while Halligan was visiting a prosecutor’s office in Richmond, a federal judge ruled that she was unlawfully serving in her role. The judge stated that the Justice Department had reached the 120-day limit for interim US attorneys before Senate confirmation was necessary. Therefore, the indictments against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James were deemed invalid.

The judge’s ruling impacted Halligan’s standing, causing confusion within her office. Prosecutors were unsure if they should still recognize her as their supervisor. Days later, Halligan remained in limbo, waiting for guidance from Justice Department leaders, while the credibility of her office began to erode. One insider noted a growing distrust among the team, fueled by the events of the past few weeks.

Just before Halligan’s appointment, former US Attorney Erik Siebert was pushed out. Siebert hesitated to bring charges against Comey and James, primarily due to skepticism from career prosecutors in the office. Following Siebert’s removal, Trump encouraged a more aggressive approach to prosecuting his political opponents, putting Halligan in a position where her lack of experience became glaringly apparent. She had previously worked as a civil lawyer with minimal experience in prosecution.

Despite her eagerness, Halligan faced additional challenges. Justice Department officials failed to provide her adequate resources for presenting cases against Comey and James. There were no attorneys available to accompany her to critical grand jury sessions, making her preparation arduous.

In October, Halligan did secure a grand jury indictment against Letitia James for mortgage fraud. However, news of her actions reached top officials via media reports rather than through proper channels, reflecting the disarray within her office.

Concerns escalated as Halligan’s relationship with the career prosecutors deteriorated. Accusations of security cameras being installed in her office heightened paranoia among her staff, compounding a sense of mistrust and insecurity. Halligan denied these allegations, asserting her innocence.

The culmination of the turmoil culminated in significant scrutiny over how she presented cases to grand juries. Questions from judges about her handling of indictments indicated fundamental missteps in her legal arguments. Despite her previous aspirations, Halligan found her authority increasingly questioned, casting a shadow over her future.

As it stands, the Justice Department is exploring the next steps concerning the cases against Comey and James. Halligan’s reputation has taken a severe hit in just two months. The political aspirations she once championed have turned into a headache for the Justice Department, leaving her future murky and her role uncertain.

For further insights, you can refer to the latest discussions on politics and law here.

This recent situation calls attention not just to the individual career paths of justice officials, but also to broader implications for the Justice Department as it navigates a landscape of political pressures and public scrutiny.

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