The Department of Justice issued a joint statement in support of Lindsey Halligan after federal judges questioned her role as a prosecutor.
Two magistrate judges and a district court judge in Virginia told prosecutors in open court they didn’t believe Halligan’s name should be listed on criminal case filings after another judge found last week that she was not lawfully serving as U.S. attorney.
Attorney General Pam Bondi and her top deputy Todd Blanche expressed support for President Donald Trump’s appointee.
“Certain district court and magistrate judges in the Eastern District of Virginia are engaging in an unconscionable campaign of bias and hostility against U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan and her line AUSAs,” wrote Bondi and Blanche. “Lindsey and our attorneys are simply doing their jobs: advocating for the Department of Justice’s positions while following guidance from the Office of Legal Counsel.”
“They do not deserve to have their reputations questioned in court for ethically advocating on behalf of their client,” the officials added. “This Department of Justice has no tolerance for undemocratic judicial activism. We will continue fighting for public safety in courtrooms across the country, and we will not be deterred by rogue judges who fail to live up to their obligations of impartiality because of their own political views. The American people, and the people of the Eastern District of Virginia, deserve nothing less.”
The statement set off a furious reaction on social media, where many users noted that Halligan had been ruled ineligible because she hadn’t been Senate confirmed after 120 days of a vacancy in the post and had not been sworn in by the judges of the court.
“Fact check: Lindsey Halligan is not and never has been US Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia,” wrote Adam Klasfeld, editor in chief of All Rise News.
“There is no US Attorney named Lindsey Halligan,” agreed X user Lily Cooper. “There’s an insurance lawyer by that name illegally impersonating a US Attorney. Thank you for your attention to this matter.”
“Hello @FBI, I’d like to report a person falsely assuming or pretending to be an officer or employee acting under the authority of the United States in violation of 18 U.S.C. Sec. 912,” posted attorney Darren Kaplan.
“What reputation?” wondered X user Bellacissa. “She’d have to have a reputation as attorney before someone could question it. And that’s the problem. She doesn’t.”
“Or… put in competent people that actually are pros with the skills to do the job (assuming any of them want to work for you, which is highly doubtful),” said political activist Brian Mistrot. “Elect clowns. Get a circus.”
“Please notice that there is not a single allegation of any specific wrongdoing; just empty smears,” added Chris Kelly, a former Missouri Democratic state legislator.
The post ‘Elect clowns, get a circus’: Pam Bondi mocked as she rages over Lindsey Halligan putdown appeared first on Raw Story.
