James Comey fights back against Trump’s prosecutors

In the United States, James Comey, the former FBI Director, is gearing up for a trial set for January, where he faces charges related to alleged false testimony before Congress. His legal strategy includes targeting Lindsey Halligan, the interim US Attorney appointed by President Donald Trump, with the aim of invalidating the charges against him. Halligan's selection has drawn criticism due to her lack of prosecutorial experience, which has led to broader discussions about the legitimacy of Trump’s appointments of interim US Attorneys without Senate confirmation. Comey's defense claims that Halligan's role as a prosecutor is legally questionable, as she does not meet the necessary criteria outlined by the Federal Vacancies Reform Act. This specific law restricts the appointment of acting US Attorneys to those who have been in another Senate-confirmed role or have worked within the Justice Department for a minimum of 90 days, which Halligan does not fulfill. Furthermore, critics argue that appointments like Halligan's compromise legal integrity, raising concerns about the potential for abuse of prosecutorial powers amidst ongoing politically charged investigations. The defense's plan includes multiple motions to dismiss, one of which will argue that the indictment itself is skewed due to Halligan's improper appointment. This raises important legal questions about the boundaries of executive power in appointing top prosecutors, and how such appointments impact the fairness of high-profile cases. As Comey prepares to make his legal arguments, the case has spotlighted the intersection of law and politics in the current Justice Department under Trump.