> At a Glance
> – Lindsey Halligan must justify in writing within 7 days why she still calls herself the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia.
> – A November ruling by Judge Currie found her appointment unconstitutional and voided the indictments she signed against James Comey and Letitia James.
> – Judge Novak warns Halligan’s continued claim could be a “false or misleading statement” and hints at possible disciplinary steps.
District Judge David Novak issued the order on his own initiative in a carjacking-and-attempted-bank-robbery case, underscoring growing district-wide frustration.
The Court Order
Novak’s three-page order demands Halligan explain:
- Why she lists herself as U.S. attorney despite the binding November decision
- Why her signature should not be stricken from the current indictment
- Why her identification “does not constitute a false or misleading statement”
The judge also required Halligan to personally sign her response and noted the ruling remains in force because the appeal has not been stayed.
Ripple Effects Across the Court
Other judges have already voiced irritation:
- One now places an asterisk beside Halligan’s name on every filing
- The asterisk footnotes Currie’s November ruling that Halligan “exercised power she did not lawfully possess”
The Justice Department continues to list Halligan as acting U.S. attorney in official documents, creating a split between agency practice and judicial findings.
Timeline of Key Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| November 2023 | Judge Currie voids Halligan’s appointment; dismisses Comey & James cases |
| Last month | New carjacking indictment filed bearing Halligan’s name |
| Tuesday night | Judge Novak issues order demanding written explanation in 7 days |
The U.S. attorney’s office offered no immediate comment.
Key Takeaways
- Halligan’s 7-day deadline starts now; failure to satisfy Novak could trigger sanctions or removal from the case
- The November ruling voided her prior prosecutions, and the same defect now jeopardizes a new indictment
- Tension between DOJ paperwork and court findings puts future Halligan-led cases in legal limbo
With no stay on the November judgment, Halligan must convince Novak she holds legitimate authority-or risk further judicial rebuke and case disruptions district-wide.
