Pallone Welcomes Dismissal of Comey and Letitia James Cases After Court Rules Trump’s Prosecutor Was Illegally Installed

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) today applauded the federal court’s dismissal of the cases against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James. The judge found that Lindsey Halligan’s appointment as interim U.S. Attorney violated federal statute, rendering every action she took, including the indictments, invalid.

“Today’s ruling makes clear that Donald Trump tried to manipulate the justice system by installing an unconfirmed loyalist who had no legal authority to bring these charges,” Pallone said. “The statute I helped pass in 2007 was written to prevent exactly this kind of political misuse of federal prosecutors, and the court correctly enforced it. This decision is a win for checks and balances, a win for the rule of law, and a reminder that no president is above the appointment process. NJ’s sham Acting U.S. Attorney Alina Habba is next.”

Last month, Pallone filed an amicus brief in U.S. v. Comey challenging Halligan’s unlawful appointment under the Preserving United States Attorney Independence Act of 2007, legislation he helped pass to ensure Senate-confirmed U.S. Attorneys and protect the integrity of federal charging decisions.