Trump's Prosecution Bid Foiled: US Judge Dismisses Case Against James Comey, Slams Trump-Appointed Prosecutor

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In a major blow to former US President Donald Trump's efforts to target his political opponents, a federal judge has dismissed the criminal case against ex-FBI Director James Comey. The ruling, issued on Monday, comes after the judge found that the prosecutor, Lindsey Halligan, was illegally appointed by the Justice Department. According to the Associated Press, the judge also dismissed the indictment of New York Attorney General Letitia James, who had faced separate charges brought by the same prosecutor. While the decision is a temporary halt on the two prosecutions, it raises concerns over the Justice Department's impartiality. The Trump administration had urged the Justice Department to pursue charges against Comey and James, both of whom have been vocal critics of Trump. The appointments of Halligan and previous interim US Attorney Erik Siebert have been under scrutiny, with critics arguing that they were installed to target Trump's opponents. Reacting to the ruling, Comey welcomed the decision, stating that the case was based on 'malevolence and incompetence.' The judge's ruling does not preclude the possibility of the Justice Department retrying the cases, but it does highlight the irregularities in the grand jury process and the appointment of Halligan. The decision serves as a rebuke of the Trump administration's efforts to use the Justice Department as a tool to target its opponents. Both Comey and James had asked for their cases to be dismissed permanently, but the judge dismissed them without prejudice, leaving open the question of whether the department could try again. The challenge to Halligan's appointment is just one part of broader legal efforts by Comey and James, who argued that the prosecutions were politically motivated. The other challenges are still under review, but Monday's decision has dealt a significant blow to Trump's efforts to silence his critics.