A federal judge in Virginia is demanding to know why former Trump lawyer Lindsey Halligan continues to identify herself as the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia despite a court having ruled that she is not legally allowed to hold that position.
U.S. District Judge David Novak this week asked Ms. Halligan, a former personal attorney for President Trump, to explain why she has maintained the title after a previous judge’s ruling said the White House cannot appoint two interim U.S. attorney’s in a row.
Judge Novak’s order was issued in response to a court filing for a bank robbery and carjacking defendant that saw Ms. Halligan listed as the top prosecutor.
The order said Ms. Halligan should also explain “why her identification does not constitute a false or misleading statement.”
Judge Novak gave Ms. Halligan a week to respond to the order issued Tuesday. He suggested disciplinary action could be taken if necessary.
Ms. Halligan’s appointment as U.S. attorney first came under scrutiny in November when federal prosecutors brought criminal charges against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James.
A judge dismissed the charges against Mr. Comey, which were on making false statements to Congress, and Ms. James, which were on mortgage fraud, because of Ms. Halligan’s unlawful interim status.
Ms. Halligan was put into the position after her predecessor, Erik Siebert, determined the cases against Mr. Trump’s political foes were not strong enough to go to court.
The Eastern District of Virginia still lists Ms. Halligan as the U.S. attorney on its website.
The Washington Times reached out to the Department of Justice for comment.
• Matt Delaney can be reached at mdelaney@washingtontimes.com.
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