Judge Bars Trump Loyalist Halligan from Impersonating Top Federal Prosecutor
A federal judge has prohibited Lindsey Halligan, a Trump loyalist, from impersonating the top federal prosecutor in the Eastern District of Virginia. U.S. District Judge David Novak issued this ruling, allowing Halligan to avoid disciplinary actions due to her lack of experience.
Judge Bars Halligan from Impersonating U.S. Attorney
Halligan is barred from representing herself as the United States Attorney in any court documents until she is legally appointed or confirmed by the Senate. Novak issued a stern warning regarding potential repercussions for Halligan if she continues misrepresenting her position.
Background and Legal Context
This ruling follows a November decision, where a judge determined Halligan was unlawfully serving as the U.S. Attorney. Notably, the Justice Department is currently appealing that ruling.
Judge Novak acknowledged Halligan’s inexperience, which is typically a significant factor for nominations to the role of U.S. Attorney. Despite this ruling, Halligan was granted leniency due to her lack of prosecutorial background.
Ongoing Developments
On the same day, Chief Judge M. Hannah Lauck announced a job opening for the position of Interim U.S. Attorney, previously held by Halligan. The court is actively seeking applications for the role in accordance with 28 U.S.C. § 546(d).
- Application deadline: February 10, 2026
- Authority to appoint interim attorneys: Court can appoint until Senate confirmation occurs
The court’s decision was solidified after Halligan’s previous attempts to prosecute high-profile individuals. In the past, she presented cases against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James, even though they were dismissed due to lack of legal grounds.
Recent Changes and Challenges
Recently, the Trump administration’s efforts to indict James on mortgage charges failed after Halligan-led cases were dismissed. Moreover, there were internal disputes about whether other federal attorneys would pursue re-indictment against Comey, which may face legal challenges due to the statute of limitations.
Halligan was nominated again for the U.S. Attorney position on January 13 but has not received Senate confirmation yet. Meanwhile, the Justice Department maintains that Halligan’s interim appointment was valid, based on internal legal counsel advice.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia did not comment on this development, and responses from the White House and Halligan were also not available at this time.
Key Points Summary
- Judge prevents Halligan from impersonating U.S. Attorney.
- Concerns about her lack of prosecutorial experience noted.
- Job opening for Interim U.S. Attorney announced.
- Past attempts to prosecute high-profile targets faced setbacks.
- New nomination for Halligan pending Senate confirmation.
