The Justice Department managed to embarrass itself again on Thursday, coming up empty in its attempt to re-indict New York Attorney General Letitia James. According to NBC News, a new grand jury flatly refused to revive the bank fraud and false-statement charges that were tossed less than two weeks ago. For an investigation that was already wobbling, this was a full face-plant.
Federal prosecutors had hoped a fresh panel would give them what the first legally tainted process could not. James has long been a political lightning rod for President Trump after she landed a major fraud judgment against him, so the idea of prosecutors taking another swing at her was hardly a shock. But even with all that political heat, the grand jury still would not bite.
James, naturally, declared vindication. She released a statement insisting once again that she had done nothing wrong. “As I have said from the start, the charges against me are baseless. It is time for this unchecked weaponization of our justice system to stop,” she said. She added, “I am grateful to the members of the grand jury and humbled by the support I have received from across the country. Now, I will continue to do my job standing up for the rule of law and the people of New York.” Coming from someone who built her career on political prosecutions, that last part had more than a little irony baked into it.
The original indictment collapsed after a judge ruled that Lindsey Halligan, acting U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, had been unlawfully appointed. Halligan, who previously served as one of President Trump’s personal attorneys, had no prosecutorial experience and yet presented the case alone to the grand jury before everything was voided on November 24. That fiasco forced DOJ to regroup.
Officials initially talked tough about appealing Judge Cameron Currie’s ruling, but instead they tried a do-over with a new grand jury in Norfolk and new prosecutors. That effort fizzled just as fast. Sources warned there “should be no premature celebrations,” meaning DOJ may still try a third shot if it can find anyone willing to sign their name to it.
Prosecutors have also been weighing whether to revive charges against former FBI Director James Comey, whose indictment for making a false statement to Congress and obstructing an investigation was tossed the same day as James’ case. Both dismissals came after President Trump pushed out the previous U.S. attorney, Erik Siebert, and installed Halligan in his place. Trump had publicly pressed Attorney General Pam Bondi to act, saying, “Pam: I have reviewed over 30 statements and posts saying that, essentially, ‘same old story as last time, all talk, no action. Nothing is being done. What about Comey, Adam ‘Shifty’ Schiff, Leticia??? They’re all guilty as hell, but nothing is going to be done. We can’t delay any longer, it’s killing our reputation and credibility,” praising Halligan as “a really good lawyer.”
DOJ says it can keep trying. Judging by the score so far, they might want to rethink that strategy before they miss the strike zone for a third time.
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