A former beauty queen turned federal prosecutor, hand-picked by Donald Trump, is now facing professional misconduct complaints for allegedly pursuing politically motivated cases against two of the ex-president’s rivals. The accusations come from a legal watchdog that claims the prosecutor’s actions undermined the integrity of the U.S. justice system. The complaint urges state bar associations in Florida and Virginia to investigate the allegations, setting off a storm of controversy around Trump’s legal circle.
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Watchdog Demands Probe
The Campaign for Accountability (CfA), a nonprofit legal watchdog group, has formally requested that the Florida Bar and Virginia State Bar open an investigation into Lindsey Halligan. The 36-year-old, once a Miss Colorado beauty pageant contestant, is accused of abusing her prosecutorial power by charging former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James despite what CfA describes as “a dearth of evidence.” The group alleges Halligan’s decisions were politically motivated and fueled by loyalty to Trump.
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“Damage Beyond Measure”
CfA Executive Director Michelle Kuppersmith condemned Halligan’s actions in a strongly worded statement. “It is difficult to overstate the damage wrought by Ms. Halligan’s actions. In addition to unjustly and vindictively inflicting direct personal harm on Mr. Comey and Ms. James, she is singlehandedly undermining, maybe irrevocably, the public’s confidence in the impartiality of the Department of Justice,” Kuppersmith said. The statement reflects growing concern about political interference within the nation’s top legal institutions.
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Charges Against Comey and James
James Comey, fired by Trump in 2017, was later charged by Halligan’s office for allegedly lying to Congress about leaks related to the 2016 Russian election interference probe. Letitia James, who successfully prosecuted Trump for submitting fraudulent financial statements, was subsequently charged by Halligan with bank fraud. Both prosecutions drew intense criticism, with many experts calling them retaliatory and politically charged moves aimed at silencing Trump’s critics.
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Political Retaliation Allegations
Observers have linked these indictments, along with similar charges brought against Trump’s former national security adviser John Bolton, to a wider pattern of political retribution. Critics say Trump weaponized the Justice Department by appointing loyalists like Halligan to key positions. The accusations suggest that Trump’s allies used federal authority to target individuals who challenged or embarrassed the former president.
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Halligan’s Controversial Appointment
Halligan’s appointment as U.S. Attorney for Virginia raised eyebrows due to her lack of prosecutorial experience. A former personal attorney to Trump, she was elevated to the post after her predecessor resigned rather than pursue politically motivated cases against Comey and James. Her swift promotion and subsequent actions have reignited debate about the politicization of justice under Trump’s influence.
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Trump’s Pressure and Public Outburst
The controversy deepened after Trump reportedly pressured Attorney General Pam Bondi to act against Comey and James. In September, Trump complained on Truth Social that “nothing is being done” to prosecute the pair, a post believed to have been intended as private communication. Merely five days later, Comey was indicted, followed soon after by James. The timing of these charges has fueled speculation about direct political interference from the former president.
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Ethical Violations Alleged
CfA’s complaint accuses Halligan of violating multiple professional conduct rules, including filing unsupported charges and making false statements to the court. “We are asking the Virginia and Florida Bars to investigate, making clear that a government appointment is not a hall pass for unethical behavior,” Kuppersmith stated. The watchdog’s move has placed Halligan under intense scrutiny as both bar associations face pressure to take disciplinary action.