"Lawyers for James Comey and Letitia James have asked a federal judge to dismiss the criminal cases filed against them, claiming the administration of President Donald Trump illegally installed the prosecutor who brought the charges. On Thursday, US District Judge Cameron McGowan Currie heard their petition in Alexandria, Virginia, as the two defendants seek to have their cases tossed before they reach trial."
"Halligan, an insurance lawyer who was formerly part of Trump's personal legal team, was appointed to the role of US attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia on an interim basis. US attorneys are the top federal prosecutors in their districts, and to be appointed on a permanent basis, nominees must first be confirmed by the Senate. Halligan, however, arrived at her role under unusual circumstances. Her predecessor, Erik Siebert, had been forced out in September amid pressure from President Trump."
"Interim US attorneys may only serve a period of 120 days, after which point federal judges decide who can stay in the role. Siebert had gotten that approval. Halligan had not. It was instead the Department of Justice that named Halligan to the position of interim US attorney. Lawyers for Comey and James have therefore maintained that Halligan's appointment as US attorney was invalid."
James Comey and Letitia James moved to dismiss criminal charges, arguing their prosecutions stem from an improperly appointed interim US attorney. US District Judge Cameron McGowan Currie heard the petition in Alexandria, Virginia. Lindsey Halligan, an insurance lawyer formerly part of Trump's personal legal team, was named interim US attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia after predecessor Erik Siebert was forced out amid presidential pressure. Interim US attorneys typically serve 120 days and require judicial approval to continue; Siebert had approval but Halligan did not. The Department of Justice named Halligan instead, and the DOJ contends the law permits successive interim appointments.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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