Trump Reacts as Cases Against Political Rivals Are Tossed
Former President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to James Comey and Letitia James, asserting they are not off the hook yet after federal cases against them were thrown out. The dismissals came from a Clinton-appointed judge who ruled that federal prosecutor Lindsey Halligan was illegally appointed by the Justice Department.
Dismissals Labelled a 'Technicality'
Speaking publicly for the first time since the rulings, Trump framed the outcome as a minor setback. 'They got out on a technicality, and you'll see what happens from here on,' he stated. 'But if you look at the actual charges, I think anybody that looks at it very fairly would say, boy, are they guilty.'
The president was referring to the charges against the two figures. Comey, the former FBI director, faced allegations of making a false statement and obstruction of a congressional proceeding related to his 2020 Senate testimony. James, a Democrat, had been indicted on charges including bank fraud and making false statements to a financial institution concerning mortgage applications.
Trump was quick to point out that the orders from US District Judge Cameron McGowan Currie did not address the substance of the allegations. 'You know, the court didn't say you couldn't bring the case, re-bring the case, or appeal the case. So they have a lot of options,' he remarked, leaving the decision to prosecutors.
Unwavering Support for 'Beauty Queen Lawyer'
Despite the judicial setback, President Trump remained steadfastly behind attorney Lindsey Halligan, whom he hand-picked for the role. He publicly pressed Attorney General Pam Bondi to take action, believing she wasn't moving fast enough against his political enemies.
'Oh, she's great. I think she's great,' Trump said when asked if he still had faith in Halligan, a former beauty queen who was named interim US Attorney for Virginia in September. Halligan was sworn in by Bondi, and Comey was indicted just three days later, with James charged two weeks after that.
The challenges to Halligan's appointment form part of a broader assault on the indictments by Comey and James. Their lawyers have argued that the prosecutions were vindictive and emblematic of a weaponized Justice Department, citing grand jury irregularities and 'outrageous government conduct.'
Rivals Respond to the Dismissals
In response to the case being dismissed, James Comey released a video statement. 'I am grateful that the court ended the case against me, which was a prosecution based on malevolence and incompetence and a reflection of what the Justice Department has become under Donald Trump, which is heartbreaking,' said Comey, who had pleaded not guilty.
Letitia James also issued a separate statement, saying she was 'heartened by today's victory and grateful for the prayers and support.' She affirmed she remained 'fearless in the face of these baseless charges as I continue fighting for New Yorkers every single day.'
The legal and political feud between Trump and these figures has deep roots. Comey was fired by Trump in 2017 while overseeing the Russia investigation, and James recently won a massive judgment against Trump and the Trump Organization for fraud, which was later partially overturned on appeal.
