DOJ doubles down on Halligan’s interim U.S. attorney status despite disqualification

The Justice Department says Lindsey Halligan remains the interim U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia despite a judge’s ruling that her appointment violated the Appointments Clause, arguing that the Currie ruling applied only to the James and Comey cases and did not force Halligan to relinquish the title. DOJ officials criticized Judge Novak’s request for an explanation as procedural overreach and noted that replacement authority would lie with the district court until the Senate confirms a nominee.