Justice Department accuses judge of abusing power in questioning prosecutor’s authority
January 13, 2026
Justice Department officials have accused a federal judge of abusing his power in demanding that Trump loyalist Lindsey Halligan explain why she continues to identify herself as a U.S. Attorney in Virginia despite another judge’s ruling that she was illegally appointed. In a court filing Tuesday co-signed by Attorney General Pam Bondi, the officials argued that nothing in that judge’s order prohibits Halligan from acting as U.S. Attorney or using that title. Last Tuesday, U.S. District Judge David Novak in Richmond, Virginia, ordered Halligan to explain in writing why it isn’t false or misleading for her to continue identifying herself as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia.