Attorneys for former FBI director James Comey told a federal judge on Oct. 14 that they will ask the court to rule that the U.S. attorney named by President Donald Trump to prosecute him was illegally appointed.
Having the appointment of Lindsey Halligan as interim U.S. Attorney for the District of Eastern Virginia declared unlawful is part of a legal defense strategy to have the indictment charging Comey thrown out. Comey’s legal team previously said they also intend to file a separate motion claiming the federal government is involved in vindictive prosecution.
U.S. attorneys are nominated by the president for four-year terms and must be confirmed by the U.S. Senate to take office, but federal law allows the president to make temporary appointments in certain circumstances….
Comey Will Seek to Remove Prosecutor in Case Against Him
