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Virginia’s Disputed U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan Steps Down After Judge Bars Use of Title

The move follows rulings enforcing the 120-day limit on interim appointments, with the court now soliciting candidates as DOJ pursues an appeal.

FILE - Lindsey Halligan, outside of the White House, Aug. 20, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 31: Lindsey Halligan, attorney for U.S. President Donald Trump, looks on during an executive order signing in the Oval Office of the White House, on March 31, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Al Drago/Getty Images)
Lindsey Halligan on Aug. 20, 2025 outside of the White House.
FILE - Lindsey Halligan, special assistant to the president, speaks with a reporter outside of the White House, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)

Overview

  • U.S. District Judge David Novak struck “United States Attorney” from Halligan’s filings and warned of disciplinary action for any continued use of the title.
  • Chief Judge M. Hannah Lauck directed the clerk to publish a vacancy notice to consider a court-appointed interim U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia.
  • Attorney General Pam Bondi announced Halligan’s departure as her claimed interim term ended, after DOJ had defended her authority in a filing signed by Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche.
  • A November ruling by Judge Cameron McGowan Currie found Halligan’s appointment unlawful and vacated indictments she brought against James Comey and Letitia James.
  • The Justice Department has appealed the November decision, extending a broader separation-of-powers fight over who may fill U.S. attorney posts on an interim basis.