Federal judge shreds Trump appointee for using a U.S. attorney title that’s already been ruled illegal

A federal judge just slammed the brakes on a President Trump appointee, ordering Lindsey Halligan to explain exactly why she’s still claiming the title of U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia in a criminal indictment. U.S. District Judge David Novak issued a highly critical three-page order earlier this week demanding Halligan justify her continued use of the U.S. attorney title.

This is a huge deal because it challenges the legitimacy of the legal actions she’s been taking while in the role. Novak wants Halligan to file a written response within seven days, explaining why her identification as U.S. Attorney should not be completely struck from the indictment. This isn’t just a paperwork error, though.

Novak specifically cited a prior ruling that stripped Halligan of her legal authority. Back on November 24, U.S. District Judge Cameron McGowan Currie ruled that Halligan’s appointment was actually unlawful, per Fox. That earlier ruling was so binding that it led to the dismissal of indictments against two high-profile figures, former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James.

Trump’s cronies keep breaking rules and laws

Novak pointed out that while the November 24 ruling is currently under appeal, no stay has been issued. That means the decision is still fully binding on the court, and Halligan simply doesn’t have the legal standing to claim the title. Novak isn’t just asking for clarification either; he’s demanding Halligan “shall further explain why her identification does not constitute a false or misleading statement.”

That’s a pretty heavy accusation to throw at a prosecutor. It really puts Halligan in a tough spot legally, and I’d bet her legal team is scrambling to put together a defense right now.

Halligan was initially appointed by President Trump to serve as the interim U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia after Erik Siebert resigned. This pattern of appointments facing legal challenges seems to be a recurring theme lately, which is definitely frustrating for the administration.

For example, this situation echoes the legal troubles faced by another Trump appointee, Alina Habba. Habba announced on December 8 that she was stepping down as the top federal prosecutor in New Jersey. She made that decision after an appeals court ruled she, too, was unlawfully serving in the role. When you see two high-profile appointees having their legal authority invalidated, you realize this isn’t an isolated incident; it points to a broader systemic issue with how these interim appointments are being handled.

President Trump has been quite vocal about these problems, arguing that the Senate’s traditions are allowing Democrats to block “very well qualified Republican candidate[s]” from taking their rightful posts. The president took to Truth Social in December to press Senate Majority Leader John Thune to dismantle the Senate’s “blue slip” tradition.

The president slammed the practice, arguing that it lets Democrats effectively veto Republican nominees. “If they say no, then it is OVER for that very well qualified Republican candidate,” President Trump wrote. “Only a really far left Democrat can be approved. It is shocking that Republicans, under Senator Chuck G, allow this scam to continue. So unfair to Republicans, and not Constitutional.”

It’s clear President Trump believes the process itself is rigged against his picks. He specifically asked Thune to take immediate action on the issue. “I am hereby asking Senate Majority Leader John Thune, a fantastic guy, to get something done, ideally the termination of Blue Slips,” he stated. “Too many GREAT REPUBLICANS are being, SENT PACKIN’. None are getting approved!!!”