Criminal case against Comey and James dismissed, as Pentagon investigates Mark Kelly
發佈日期: 2025-11-25 19:47
TVB News
A federal judge has dismissed the criminal cases against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James, concluding that the prosecutor who brought the charges at President Donald Trump's urging, was illegally appointed by the Justice Department.
This as the Pentagon has announced it is investigating Democratic Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona over possible breaches of military law, after the former Navy pilot joined a handful of other lawmakers in a video that called for troops to defy "illegal orders."
New York Attorney General Letitia James had pleaded not guilty to mortgage fraud allegations and obstructing Congress late last year, while former FBI Director James Comey was charged with making a false statement to Congress and obstructing a congressional proceeding.
But a federal judge dismissed the criminal charges against the two, as the Trump-backed prosecutor Lindsey Halligan handling the cases was illegally appointed by the Justice Department.
Judge Cameron McGowan Currie wrote in her opinion that Halligan, had "no lawful authority to present the indictment" against the two. She added that "all actions flowing from Ms Halligan's defective appointment" were "unlawful exercises of executive power and must be set aside." The president begged to differ.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said: "Lindsay Halligan was legally appointed and that's the administration's position. I know there was a judge who is clearly trying to shield Letitia James and James Comey from receiving accountability and that is why they took this unprecedented action to throw away the indictments against these two individuals.
But the Department of Justice will be appealing very soon and it is our position that Lindsay Halligan is extremely qualified for this position but more importantly was legally appointed to it."
Meanwhile the Pentagon said that it is investigating Democratic Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona over possible breaches of military law, after he joined a handful of other lawmakers in a video that called for US troops to refuse unlawful orders. Kelly said on a video: "You can refuse illegal orders."
Other lawmakers also on video said: "You can refuse illegal orders."
"I'm Senator Elissa Slotkin" "Senator Mark Kelly" "Representative Chris Deluzo."
In a social media post US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth posted "The video made by the 'Seditious Six' was despicable, reckless and false."
Adding, "Their foolish screed sows doubt and confusion which only puts our warriors in danger."
Konstantin Toropin from The Associated Press said: "Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth explained that the reason that Pentagon was investigating Kelly specifically is that he was the only person that the Pentagon had jurisdiction over. The other lawmakers had either never served in the military or had not completed a full retirement and thus were not subject to recall
to active duty like Kelly was."
Kelly served in the US Navy as a fighter pilot before going on to become an astronaut.
