Attorney General Pam Bondi reportedly made it clear Monday that the Department of Justice is far from finished with former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James, promising an aggressive appeal after a federal judge dismissed charges against both officials on procedural grounds.
“We’ll be taking all available legal action, including an immediate appeal, to hold Letitia James and James Comey accountable for their unlawful conduct,” Bondi told reporters, according to Fox News.
Speaking specifically about Comey — who was indicted in September on charges of making false statements and obstructing a congressional proceeding — Bondi did not mince words: “I’m not worried about someone who has been charged with a very serious crime. His alleged actions were a betrayal of public trust.”
U.S. District Judge Cameron McGowan Currie dismissed the cases without prejudice, meaning prosecutors may refile charges. The judge ruled that Lindsey Halligan — the Trump-appointed prosecutor who secured the indictments — was unlawfully serving as interim U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia.
Halligan, once a member of Trump’s legal team, was appointed to replace former U.S. attorney Erik Siebert, who resigned after investigating both Comey and Letitia James but had not filed charges himself.
Bondi pushed back hard on the judge’s reasoning, announcing that the administration has now designated Halligan as a special U.S. attorney, giving her full authority to continue the cases in court.
“We have made Lindsey Halligan a special U.S. attorney so she can fight in court just like she was,” Bondi said. “We believe we will be successful on appeal.”
Bondi also defended Halligan’s qualifications against critics seeking to discredit her appointment.
“I’ve spoken to U.S. attorneys around the country,” Bondi said. “Lindsey Halligan is an excellent U.S. attorney. Shame on them for not wanting her in office.”
Details of the Charges
James Comey
The DOJ indicted Comey in September for allegedly giving false statements and obstructing a congressional proceeding related to his 2020 testimony on the FBI’s handling of the Trump–Russia investigation. Critics have long accused Comey of weaponizing the bureau for political purposes, and many conservatives viewed the indictment as overdue accountability.
Letitia James
In October, the DOJ charged James over a 2023 mortgage loan she obtained on a Virginia property. Prosecutors say she falsely claimed the Virginia home as her primary residence — even while serving as New York’s attorney general, a role that legally requires New York residency. James allegedly obtained favorable mortgage terms and had a relative living in the home instead.
Letitia James has drawn years of conservative criticism for her openly political pursuit of Donald Trump. She campaigned on “taking on Trump” and “leading the resistance,” and then spearheaded the civil fraud case against him — a case widely criticized as partisan lawfare.
What Happens Next?
Because the charges were dismissed on procedural grounds, not on evidence or merit, Bondi’s DOJ is already preparing to refile once Halligan’s status is formally resolved. The appeal is expected to move quickly.
Bondi emphasized that neither Comey nor James is off the hook.
“The American people deserve accountability,” she said. “And they’re going to get it.”
The message from the Trump administration was unmistakable: legal technicalities will not shield high-ranking officials from being held responsible for alleged misconduct — especially those who spent years abusing their positions to target political opponents.
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