A US judge has dismissed criminal charges against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James, ruling that the prosecutor who brought the charges was unlawfully appointed.
Judge Cameron Currie stated that Lindsey Halligan, who was selected by Trump to pursue the charges against the two political adversaries, was never eligible for her position.
Both Comey and James have maintained their innocence and described the prosecutions as politically motivated.
The White House responded that, 'The facts of the indictments against Comey and James have not changed and this will not be the final word on this matter.'
President Donald Trump has repeatedly attacked Comey and James, claiming, 'They're all guilty as hell' and asserting, 'JUSTICE MUST BE SERVED, NOW!!!'
Judge Currie's decision noted that Halligan, a former White House aide with no prior prosecutorial experience, was not authorized to present the charges. 'All actions flowing from Ms Halligan's defective appointment, including securing and signing Mr Comey's indictment, were unlawful exercises of executive power and are hereby set aside,' Currie ruled.
Halligan had replaced Erik Siebert, an interim US attorney who resigned amid pressure from the Trump administration to file these charges. Judge Currie found that Halligan's appointment violated statutory requirements, making her position illegitimate.
Both cases were dismissed 'without prejudice', meaning they could be refiled later. The Justice Department has not provided immediate comment, but White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced plans to appeal the ruling.
Comey expressed relief that a prosecution 'based on malevolence and incompetence' had ended, yet he anticipated that Trump would come after him again. He was dismissed by Trump during his presidency after leading an investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.
James expressed gratitude for the ruling and reaffirmed her commitment to serve New Yorkers amidst the legal challenges she faces.
