BREAKING: In a shocking move, Lindsey Halligan, the interim U.S. attorney appointed by Donald Trump in late September, has indicted New York Attorney General Letitia James without notifying key officials at the Department of Justice (DOJ). This unprecedented action has left many, including Pam Bondi, the Attorney General of Florida, reportedly “caught off guard.”
According to ABC News, Halligan’s indictment came as a surprise to senior DOJ leadership, who were unaware she was presenting evidence to a grand jury until after the fact. This raises serious questions about transparency and proper protocol within the federal legal system.
During a Friday segment on CNN, former U.S. attorney Harry Litman, who served under former President Bill Clinton, expressed his disbelief at the situation. Litman described Halligan’s actions as “funky” and “nuts,” emphasizing that it appears she has intentionally kept Bondi “at arms’ length.” He suggested that the circumstances surrounding James’ indictment are becoming increasingly suspicious.
“All the evidence seems very strong that it was directed or it was in order to satisfy Trump’s urge for a reprisal prosecution,” Litman stated. “Did she just completely bypass DOJ leadership and go directly to the top? That would be very anomalous and improper.”
Halligan, who has limited courtroom experience, previously worked as an insurance lawyer and was part of Trump’s legal team concerning his alleged mishandling of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago. That case was dismissed in July 2024 by U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, another Trump appointee. Her lack of legal experience raises further concerns about the motivations behind this indictment.
The fallout from this decision could be significant. Litman pointed out that Halligan’s actions might allow Bondi to maintain deniability while sparking scrutiny from DOJ leadership. “Remember, she has zero experience. She doesn’t know where the door is,” he added. “That’s gonna be, funky would be the legal term. Just really nuts.”
Halligan’s controversial move comes less than a month into her role, following the firing of her predecessor, Erik Siebert, who was removed after he refused to pursue charges against political figures such as James, James Comey, and Senator Adam Schiff of California, who played key roles in Trump’s impeachment proceedings.
This developing situation prompts urgent questions about the integrity of the U.S. justice system and the potential for political motivations behind legal actions. Analysts and officials alike will closely monitor how this situation unfolds, especially as more information surfaces regarding Halligan’s decision-making process.
Stay tuned for updates as this story develops, with experts weighing in on the implications of Halligan’s actions and what it means for the future of political prosecutions in the United States.
