DOJ Defends Halligan’s US Attorney Authority Amid Virginia Judge’s Scrutiny

The Justice Department has filed a brief defending Lindsey Halligan, Trump’s pick to lead the Eastern District of Virginia’s US Attorney’s Office, after several judges questioned whether she remains the U.S. attorney since she has not been Senate-confirmed. The DOJ accuses Judge David Novak of attempting to coerce the Executive Branch and maintains Halligan’s authority to sign court papers is valid under internal DOJ guidance, even as courts scrutinize filings bearing her name in the Comey and Letitia James prosecutions. The standoff has caused turmoil within the prosecutors’ office, including the firing of Halligan’s No. 2.