Washington, D.C. — President Donald Trump has nominated Lindsey Halligan to be the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, placing her in a pivotal role amid politically sensitive federal investigations. The nomination comes on the heels of instability at the department, marked by the resignation of her predecessor, Erik Siebert, who stepped down amid scrutiny from the Trump administration regarding the potential prosecution of New York Attorney General Letitia James.
The announcement of Halligan’s appointment was made via Trump’s social media shortly after he left the White House for an engagement at Mount Vernon. Trump praised Halligan as “fair” and “smart,” expressing his belief that she would offer “desperately needed justice for all.” This appointment is part of a larger strategy by the Trump administration to fill key legal positions with loyal supporters.
Born and raised in Colorado, Halligan attended Regis University in Denver, where she graduated with a degree in political science and broadcast journalism. She also gained early recognition by competing in the Miss Colorado USA pageant, finishing as a semifinalist in 2009 and third runner-up in 2010. Halligan was admitted to the Florida Bar in 2014 and began her legal career specializing in insurance law. She worked as a partner at Cole, Scott & Kissane in Fort Lauderdale, focusing on residential and commercial insurance claims. Her team faced legal criticism from a judge in one high-profile case for not acting “in good faith.”
In 2022, Halligan joined Trump’s legal team, becoming embroiled in significant legal issues concerning the former president. She played a role during the FBI’s search of Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate and engaged in litigation regarding the handling of classified documents. Additionally, Halligan was involved in Trump’s defamation lawsuit against CNN, challenging claims made by the network during heated political discourse. Reports indicate she received $212,000 from Trump’s Save America PAC between June 2022 and June 2023.
Halligan’s nomination surfaces amid ongoing controversies, particularly following Siebert’s abrupt departure. Siebert had resisted pressure to pursue criminal investigations against James, who is under scrutiny for alleged discrepancies linked to her property dealings in Brooklyn and Virginia. James’ team has asserted that these allegations are politically driven and unfounded.
Trump publicly dismissed claims that Siebert resigned willingly, stating he had fired him. He also commended Attorney General Pam Bondi for her efforts to advance legal actions against his political adversaries, emphasizing the need for prompt and decisive action against any wrongdoing.
The timing of Halligan’s nomination comes shortly after another conservative attorney, Mary “Maggie” Cleary, was appointed acting U.S. attorney for the same district, hinting at a shift in leadership aimed at intensifying investigations into politically charged matters. The U.S. Department of Justice, however, has not identified sufficient evidence to warrant an indictment in the ongoing inquiry involving Letitia James.
This nomination underscores the ongoing friction and maneuvering within the legal landscape, as the Trump administration continues to assert influence and reshape federal investigations.
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