"Although the government sought and filed the indictment in this case on October 9, 2025-signed only by purported interim U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan -articles issued before the charges were filed indicated that charges would be brought. What precipitates this motion now is a digital messaging exchange that occurred after the government brought charges, between purported interim U.S. Attorney Halligan and Anna Bower, a senior journalist for Lawfare, published on Monday, October 20, 2025."
"After confirming Ms. Halligan's identity, Ms. Bower asked the purported interim U.S. Attorney what she was "getting wrong," and Ms. Halligan replied: "Honestly, so much. I can't tell you everything but your reporting in particular is just way off. I had to let you know." These extrajudicial statements and prejudicial disclosures by any prosecutor, let alone one purporting to be the U.S. Attorney, run afoul of and violate"
The government filed an indictment on October 9, 2025 that was signed only by purported interim U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan. Press reporting had signaled that charges would be brought before the filing. A digital messaging exchange between Halligan and journalist Anna Bower that occurred after charges were filed was published on October 20, 2025, during which Halligan told Bower her reporting was "way off." The filing characterizes those extrajudicial statements as prejudicial disclosures that violate federal rules, court local rules, ethical obligations, and DOJ guidance. The government requests restrictions on public comment and notifies an intent to move to disqualify Halligan.
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