Political Overtones and High-Profile Scrutiny
The development marks a dramatic setback after President Donald Trump publicly called for prosecutions against Comey and James. Following Trump’s statements, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi installed Halligan to pursue the cases.
Comey faced allegations of lying to Congress, while James was charged with allegedly falsifying documents to secure favorable loan terms on a second home.
Defense Calls Case Politically Motivated
In a statement, James’ attorney Abbe Lowell of Lowell & Associates PLLC called the ruling a vindication and criticized the political nature of the prosecutions.
“The court’s order acknowledges what’s been clear about this case from the beginning,” Lowell said. “The president went to extreme measures to substitute one of his allies to bring these baseless charges after career prosecutors refused.”
He added, “This case was not about justice or the law; it was about targeting Attorney General James for what she stood for and who she challenged.”
Monday’s decision underscores the fragility of high-profile prosecutions driven by political considerations and highlights the critical importance of proper legal procedure in federal indictments.
