Virginia Judge Orders Halligan to Explain U.S. Attorney Title Use

A federal judge in Virginia has ordered interim U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan to explain why she continues to identify herself in that role, despite a prior court ruling that her appointment was unlawful. U.S. District Judge David Novak issued the directive on Tuesday in Richmond, giving Halligan seven days to submit a written response.

Novak's three-page order, issued on the court's own initiative, requires Halligan to detail the basis for her continued use of the title for the Eastern District of Virginia. She must also address why the court should not remove her identification as U.S. Attorney from a related indictment and explain why such identification does not amount to a false or misleading statement. Novak emphasized that attorneys have an obligation to avoid untruthful or misleading representations, noting that violations could lead to professional discipline.

The order stems from a November ruling by U.S. District Judge Cameron McGowan Currie, who found Halligan's appointment defective under federal law. Currie dismissed indictments that Halligan had pursued against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James, determining she lacked...