Media365
US President Donald Trump’s ally Lindsay Halligan has received an order from a federal judge to explain why she continues to use the US attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia tag for herself, with a deadline of seven days. A prior court ruling stated that her appointment for the position was unlawful.US district judge David Novak also asked Halligan to justify how this conduct does not constitute under “false or misleading statement.” The Trump-appointed Richmond judge has also warned Halligan that this could lead to disciplinary actions.
A ruling by judge McGowan Currie on December 18, 2025, was handed down after Halligan dismissed the DOJ case against Letitia James and James Comey, holding Lindsay Halligan’s appointment as “defective.” The verdict remains a binding precedent in the Eastern District of Virginia, as no stay has been granted despite the DOJ’s appeal.The DOJ defended Halligan and accused the federal judges of conducting a “campaign of bias and hostility” against her.The recent order, judge Novak made clear, cannot be disregarded simply because the government is appealing it.He also made it clear that the order had been issued at his own initiative and that no request from defence lawyers or any outside party had influenced it.Local news outlet Axios reported that the DOJ has not issued any response to their request for a comment on Novak’s order.
