Attorney General Pam Bondi is vowing to push forward with an aggressive appeal after a federal judge dismissed the Justice Department’s cases against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James. The rulings — issued on procedural grounds rather than on evidence — have ignited a firestorm among conservatives who view both Comey and James as central figures in long-running political battles against former President Donald Trump.
While the decision was not a ruling on guilt or innocence, the outcome shook Washington. It also immediately fueled accusations that a judiciary shaped by decades of Democratic appointments continues to protect powerful political allies. Bondi made clear she has no intention of letting the matter drop.
A Stunning Court Decision
According to the Daily Mail, U.S. District Judge Cameron Currie — appointed by former President Bill Clinton — issued the dismissals on Monday. Currie ruled that indictments brought by Lindsay Halligan, Trump’s interim U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, were invalid due to what she described as a “defective appointment.”
Currie accused Halligan of engaging in “prosecutorial misconduct,” though the ruling focused more on technical authorization issues than on any actions Halligan allegedly took in court.
“I conclude that all actions flowing from Ms. Halligan’s defective appointment, including securing and signing Mr. Comey’s indictment, constitute unlawful exercises of executive power and must be set aside,” Currie wrote.
Importantly, the judge dismissed both indictments without prejudice — meaning prosecutors may refile the cases after the appointment issue is resolved.
That caveat was more than enough for Bondi to signal she intends to strike back quickly.
Bondi: “We Will Be Successful on Appeal”
In a fiery response, Bondi blasted the ruling and fiercely defended Halligan, whom she described as an “excellent U.S. attorney.”
“Shame on them for not wanting her in office,” Bondi said. “I talked to all of our U.S. attorneys, the majority of them around the country, and Lindsay Halligan is an excellent U.S. attorney.”
Bondi announced that Halligan has now been made a special U.S. attorney, allowing her to continue litigating the cases during the appeals process.
“We will be successful on appeal,” Bondi insisted. “We’ll be taking all available legal action, including an immediate appeal, to hold Letitia James and James Comey accountable for their unlawful conduct.”
Her remarks reflected a broader sentiment among conservatives who believe Comey and James have long operated as political actors rather than neutral officials — with Comey accused of misleading Congress during his 2020 testimony, and James widely known for her prosecutorial campaign against Trump in New York.
Bondi added, “I’m not worried about someone who has been charged with a very serious crime. His alleged actions were a betrayal of public trust.”
Why the Judge Threw Out the Charges
The core of Currie’s ruling centered not on the evidence but on the timeline surrounding Halligan’s appointment.
Halligan was appointed interim U.S. attorney in September, after her predecessor, Erik Siebert, left the position. Currie ruled that Siebert’s 120-day interim term had expired earlier and that, under federal statute, the district’s federal judges — not the Attorney General — should have selected his replacement.
Because Halligan’s appointment flowed from what Currie deemed a lapsed authority, any action she took, including the signing of indictments, could not stand.
Attorneys for Comey and James seized on that argument, claiming the indictments were void from the start. They requested the charges be dismissed with prejudice, which would have permanently barred refiled cases.
Currie declined that request, leaving the door open for Bondi.
The Charges Against Comey and James
The dismissed indictments, though procedurally halted, were significant.
James Comey
The former FBI director was charged with:
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Making a false statement
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Obstructing a congressional proceeding
These charges stemmed from his 2020 Senate testimony, where he denied authorizing FBI officials to leak information to the press. Comey has long defended his actions, but critics argue his leadership during politically sensitive investigations severely damaged public trust.
Letitia James
New York’s Attorney General faced allegations including:
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Bank fraud
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Making false statements to a financial institution
The charges stemmed from allegedly falsified information in mortgage applications. James has been a central figure in high-profile legal battles targeting Donald Trump and his businesses — a point Bondi highlighted as evidence of political motivation.
Both figures have long been regarded by conservatives as key participants in efforts to undermine Trump during and after his presidency.
The Politics Behind the Prosecutions
The cases were brought after significant pressure within the Trump administration to hold Comey and James accountable for what many conservatives believe were politically driven actions during Trump’s first term.
Her predecessor, Erik Siebert, had been pushed out amid frustrations that his office was not moving quickly enough to take action in politically sensitive investigations. Trump then nominated Halligan after calling publicly for accountability.
Federal judges in other jurisdictions — including New Jersey, Los Angeles, and Nevada — have previously disqualified interim U.S. attorneys based on appointment issues, but allowed active prosecutions to continue. Halligan’s critics argued this case should be treated differently because she was the sole signer of the indictments.
Bondi disagreed, citing the ability to refile and vowing to pursue the cases until they reach a lawful resolution.
The Larger Battle: Accountability vs. Entrenched Power
For conservatives watching the rulings unfold, the dismissal is part of a larger pattern: high-profile Democratic officials facing scrutiny, only to have procedural decisions shield them from legal consequences.
Bondi’s immediate and forceful response signals an administration unwilling to back down in the face of judicial setbacks.
Comey and James represent, to many Americans on the Right, the entrenched political establishment that spent years targeting Trump. Bondi’s pledge to appeal reflects a belief that the public deserves to see the allegations fully tested in court — not halted by technicalities.
As the legal fight continues, both sides are preparing for a major showdown over the limits of prosecutorial authority and the accountability of powerful political officials.
And for Bondi, the message remains clear: the administration will fight these cases to the end.
Sarah Mitchell is a bestselling novelist recognized for her insightful and emotionally resonant stories that explore the complexities of human relationships. Originally from Denver, Colorado, Sarah grew up in a family of teachers who nurtured her curiosity and love for storytelling. She studied psychology at Stanford University, where she became fascinated by the intricacies of human behavior—an interest that would later shape her writing career. Sarah’s novels are praised for their nuanced characters, intricate plots, and ability to capture the subtle tensions that define love, friendship, and family ties. Her breakthrough novel, The Spaces Between Us, became an instant bestseller, lauded for its honest portrayal of strained family relationships and the fragile bonds that hold people together. Since then, she has published several works that continue to captivate audiences around the world. Outside of her writing career, Sarah is passionate about mental health advocacy and often partners with organizations to promote awareness and support for those struggling with emotional well-being. Her personal life is quieter—she enjoys hiking in the Colorado mountains, practicing yoga, and spending time with close friends. With each new book, Sarah Mitchell cements her reputation as a writer who illuminates the beauty and struggles of human connection.
