WASHINGTON – On Saturday, President Donald Trump announced his intention to nominate Lindsey Halligan, a senior aide within the White House, as the lead federal prosecutor for Virginia’s Eastern District. This nomination follows the recent upheaval caused by the abrupt departure of the previous U.S. attorney from that office.
Shortly after leaving the White House en route to an event at Mount Vernon, Trump took to social media to declare Halligan’s nomination. He praised her as someone who would be “Fair, Smart, and will deliver the much-needed JUSTICE FOR ALL!”
This move coincides with Trump urging Attorney General Pam Bondi to advance legal actions against some of his political adversaries, reinforcing a recurring theme of retribution during his return to the White House.
Halligan’s appointment would place a trusted legal ally of the president at the helm of an office currently embroiled in controversy. The turmoil stems from pressure exerted by administration officials to pursue criminal charges against New York Attorney General Letitia James, a long-standing critic of Trump, in connection with a mortgage fraud probe.
Erik Siebert, the former chief prosecutor of the office, resigned amid the administration’s push to file charges related to allegations of irregularities in paperwork concerning James’ properties in Brooklyn and Virginia.
The Department of Justice has been investigating for several months, yet no evidence sufficient to support an indictment has surfaced. James’ legal team has strongly denied the accusations, framing the inquiry as politically motivated retaliation.
Halligan has been closely linked to Trump’s legal circle for years, including representing him during the initial stages of the FBI’s probe into his retention of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago. More recently, she has been involved in White House initiatives aimed at addressing what officials describe as “inappropriate ideological influences” within Smithsonian institutions.
Earlier on Saturday, Trump posted what resembled an open letter directed at Bondi, referencing over 30 statements and posts that criticized the administration’s perceived inaction on investigations, including the one involving James. His message also mentioned former FBI Director James Comey, a frequent target of Trump’s ire, who was dismissed during the Russia investigation in Trump’s first term.
This summer, the FBI confirmed it was investigating Comey after he was interviewed by the Secret Service following an Instagram post that Republicans claimed incited violence against Trump. Comey has stated the post was not intended as a threat and removed it once he recognized the misinterpretation.
When asked upon leaving the White House if he was criticizing Bondi, Trump responded that his demand was simply for decisive action.
FILE – New York Attorney General Letitia James speaks on February 16, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)
Bebeto Matthews/AP
Trump emphasized urgency, stating, “We must move quickly – regardless of the outcome. Whether they are guilty or innocent, we need to act promptly. If charges are warranted, they should be filed immediately.”
In his social media announcement of Halligan’s nomination, Trump commended Bondi’s efforts, saying she was “doing a GREAT job.”
Halligan’s nomination came just hours after conservative attorney Mary “Maggie” Cleary informed staff via email that she had been appointed acting U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. Cleary, who has publicly denied allegations of being present at the January 6, 2021 Capitol events, expressed humility in joining the office.
While Siebert communicated his resignation to colleagues on Friday evening, Trump asserted on social media that he had dismissed Siebert, not the other way around. He noted Siebert’s support from Virginia’s Democratic senators, Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, and added, “Next time, let him run as a Democrat, not a Republican.”
