Judge restricts Halligan from claiming U.S. Attorney title amid appointment questions

A federal judge in the Eastern District of Virginia barred Lindsey Halligan from presenting herself as the United States Attorney until she is properly appointed or Senate-confirmed, noting her lack of prosecutorial experience and granting her the benefit of the doubt by not referring her for disciplinary action at this time. The court also posted a vacancy for an Interim U.S. Attorney with a Feb. 10, 2026 deadline as the DOJ appeals a ruling that Halligan unlawfully served; Halligan was nominated again on Jan. 13 but has not been confirmed, and earlier cases against James and Comey were dismissed during her tenure.