Major Legal Victory as Judge Overturns Cases
In a significant legal development, a federal judge has thrown out the criminal cases against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James. The ruling, delivered on Monday 24 November 2025, concluded that the prosecutor handling their cases was unlawfully appointed, rendering all subsequent actions invalid.
Defective Appointment Leads to Dismissal
Judge Cameron McGowan Currie wrote in her opinion that Lindsey Halligan, whom former President Donald Trump named as the interim US attorney for the eastern district of Virginia in September, had "no lawful authority to present the indictment". The judge stated that all actions stemming from Halligan's appointment were "unlawful exercises of executive power and must be set aside".
The cases were dismissed "without prejudice", meaning the government could theoretically attempt to bring the charges again under a properly appointed US attorney. However, this seems unlikely, especially for Comey, as the statute of limitations for the crime he was charged with passed on 30 September 2025.
Reactions from the Acquitted
Both James and Comey, who had consistently denied any wrongdoing and characterised the cases as politically motivated, praised the decision.
Letitia James said in a statement, "I am heartened by today’s victory and grateful for the prayers and support I have received from around the country. I remain fearless in the face of these baseless charges as I continue fighting for New Yorkers every single day."
In a recorded video, James Comey expressed his gratitude, stating, "I’m grateful that the court ended the case against me which was a prosecution based on malevolence and incompetence. This case mattered to me personally, obviously, but it matters most because a message has to be sent that the president of the United States cannot use the Department of Justice to target his political enemies."
Broader Political Context
This ruling represents a major setback for the Trump administration's legal pursuits against its perceived political opponents. The charges against Comey related to allegedly lying to Congress five years prior, while James faced accusations of mortgage fraud.
The judge's decision underscores ongoing debates about the separation of powers and the potential for the executive branch to wield the Department of Justice for political purposes. This case will likely be cited in future legal and political discussions concerning the independence of the US justice system.
