U.S. Attorney’s Response to Judge’s Remarks
U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan expressed her frustration on Thursday towards a federal judge scrutinizing her criminal case against former FBI Director James B. Comey.
In new filings submitted to U.S. District Court, Halligan contended that Judge Michael Nachmanoff was mistaken in his assertion that the grand jury did not review the final charges against Comey.
The Justice Department accused Judge Nachmanoff, appointed by President Biden, of making a personal attack during a recent hearing by suggesting that Halligan was acting as a “puppet” for former President Trump.
“A federal judge should be neutral and impartial. Instead, this judge launched an outrageous and unprofessional personal attack yesterday in open court against U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan,” stated Justice Department spokesperson Chad Gilmartin.
In her filing, Halligan included court transcripts indicating that the grand jury foreperson confirmed the panel had reviewed and voted on the two-count indictment against Comey.
“The transcript leaves no room for ambiguity,” Halligan wrote. “The complete record eliminates any doubt. The foreperson confirmed the vote, the Court acknowledged the vote [and] at least twelve jurors agreed to indict Mr. Comey on the two counts.”
Halligan has faced criticism from various quarters regarding alleged legal missteps that could jeopardize the case.
A grand jury indicted Comey on September 25 for making false statements to Congress and obstructing a congressional proceeding related to his 2020 testimony at a Senate hearing concerning classified material leaks during his investigation into Hillary Clinton’s emails.
Comey has pleaded not guilty, with his legal team arguing that Halligan’s appointment was improper and claiming that the charges are politically motivated and vindictive.
Halligan countered by presenting notes from Comey indicating an associate leaked classified information on his behalf and suggesting he anticipated working for Clinton if she won in 2016.
