If you need a quick recap: in September, her predecessor, Erik Siebert, was forced out of his post for refusing to prosecute Trump's political enemies. Shortly after, Trump announced via Truth Social that he would nominate Halligan as his replacement-and in another post, ordered Attorney General Pam Bondi to immediately swear her in. (Our cognitively sound president seemingly thought he was sending a text.)
A federal judge is generally reluctant to appear in a leading role in a public farce, unless it is part of the entertainment at a retirement smoker for a fellow judge. Early on, Currie realized that she was being asked to be one of the lead clowns in a theatrical manifestation of the president's deranged vengeance. She turned down the part on Monday.