Blue Press Journal – A federal judge in Virginia on Thursday scrutinized the Department of Justice (DOJ) over the appointment of Lindsey Halligan as interim U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, with attorneys for former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James arguing that she was hand-picked by President Donald Trump to prosecute his perceived political enemies.
According to a CNN report, the judge’s questioning of the DOJ at times elicited gasps from courthouse observers, highlighting the contentious nature of the proceedings. The attorneys for Comey and James alleged that Halligan’s appointment was unlawful, claiming that she was chosen by Trump to target his political opponents.
The hearing comes as Comey and James seek to disqualify Halligan from their case, arguing that her appointment was motivated by Trump’s desire to wield her prosecutorial powers against his enemies. The attorneys drew parallels to a similar case in Florida, where Trump’s efforts to have prosecutor Jack Smith removed were successful.
CNN legal analyst Katelyn Polantz noted that Trump’s “win” in the Florida case was achieved through arguments similar to those being made in this case. The implication is that Trump’s influence over the DOJ is being used to further his own interests, rather than to uphold the law impartially.
The judge’s pointed questioning of the DOJ suggests that the court is taking the allegations seriously and is not willing to simply rubber-stamp Halligan’s appointment. The outcome of the hearing is not yet clear, but it is likely to have significant implications for the case and for the ongoing debate over the politicization of the DOJ.
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