A federal judge announced Thursday that she will issue a
ruling before Thanksgiving to determine whether Lindsey Halligan is legally
serving as a federal prosecutor. The judicial review comes after a petition
filed by lawyers for former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney
General Letitia James, who asked Magistrate Judge Cameron McGowan
Currie—appointed during the Clinton administration—to declare Halligan
ineligible to serve.
The petitioners argue that Halligan's appointment was made
after the 120-day waiting period for the previously designated federal
prosecutor had expired, which, they claim, invalidates her current authority.
Judge Currie must now determine whether the Justice Department's procedures
complied with legal requirements and whether Halligan can continue to serve
while the matter is resolved.
The decision, which could have implications for other
interim appointments within the federal system, is being closely watched due to
the public profile of the figures involved and the political sensitivity of the
case.