Interim US Attorney Halligan Departs After Court Ruling
Did Halligan step down due to partisan obstruction or because her appointment was legally invalid?
Above: Lindsey Halligan in the White House, in Washington, D.C., on Mar. 31, 2025. Image credit: Al Drago/Getty Images
The Spin
Republican narrative
Halligan's departure was not because of any wrongdoing. On the contrary, she served her district with distinction. Instead, Halligan left due to the machinations of the Democrats, who weaponized the blue slip process to block her from continuing in the role. As a result, Republicans must consider eliminating the blue slip to end the disruptions that threaten public safety.
Democratic narrative
Despite what some may claim, the truth of the matter is that Halligan was never lawfully appointed as U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia in the first place. For this fact, and without even mentioning how woefully underqualified for the role she was, Halligan's position was utterly untenable. Her exit, therefore, could not have come any sooner.
