FILE – Lindsey Halligan, special assistant to the president, speaks with a reporter outside of the White House, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, in Washington.
Jacquelyn Martin/AP
WASHINGTON — Lindsey Halligan, a senior aide at the White House, has been chosen by President Donald Trump to be the new federal prosecutor for Virginia’s Eastern District. This decision follows the recent removal of the previous U.S. attorney from the position.
Trump announced this nomination via social media while en route to Mount Vernon. He praised Halligan as someone who “will be Fair, Smart, and will provide, desperately needed, JUSTICE FOR ALL!”
This appointment occurs amidst Trump’s encouragement for Attorney General Pam Bondi to pursue investigations against certain political adversaries, a move aligning with his broader agenda for political retribution.
Halligan’s nomination would position her as the leader of an office currently experiencing upheaval due to pressures from the Trump administration to file charges against New York Attorney General Letitia James. James is under investigation for alleged discrepancies regarding real estate paperwork, but her legal team dismisses these as politically motivated claims.
Erik Siebert, the former lead prosecutor for the office, resigned following administrative pressure to advance the investigation, which has yet to yield significant evidence for an indictment. James’ legal representatives assert that the investigation is baseless and retaliatory.
An established figure within Trump’s legal circle, Halligan has previously defended Trump during inquiries into his handling of classified materials at Mar-a-Lago. She has recently participated in efforts to address perceived ideological biases in Smithsonian properties.
Earlier, Trump publicly addressed Bondi, referencing scrutiny his administration faced for perceived inaction on investigations, including the one involving James. His comments also brought up former FBI Director James Comey, who faced a recent investigation by the FBI over a controversial Instagram post.
In response to questions about Bondi, Trump expressed his desire for decisive action.
FILE – New York Attorney General Letitia James speaks, Feb. 16, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews, File)
Bebeto Matthews/AP
“We have to act fast — one way or the other,” stated Trump. “They’re guilty, they’re not guilty — we have to act fast. If they’re not guilty, that’s fine. If they are guilty or if they should be charged, they should be charged. And we have to do it now.”
Trump expressed confidence in Bondi’s performance by stating she was “doing a GREAT job” in his social media announcement regarding Halligan’s nomination.
Shortly before Halligan’s nomination, Mary “Maggie” Cleary, another conservative attorney, informed staff via email of her appointment as acting U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. Cleary, who has previously refuted accusations of involvement in the January 6 Capitol events, expressed humility in joining the team.
Siebert, who had recently announced his resignation via email, was referred to by Trump in a social media post: “He didn’t quit, I fired him!” Trump, supported by Virginia’s Democratic senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, remarked, “Next time let him go in as a Democrat, not a Republican.”
This article was originally written by www.npr.org
