A federal judge has dismissed criminal charges against critics of U.S. President Trump, FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James.
The judge found that the former White House staffer, Lindsey Halligan, was “unlawfully appointed” to her role by Trump’s attorney general, Pam Bondi.
The ruling will see two cases that Trump has publicly called for thrown out as he pressured the Justice Department to move against high-profile individuals who had criticised him and led investigations into his conduct.
After the case was thrown out, Comey posted a video to Instagram expressing his gratitude.
"This case mattered to me personally, obviously, but it matters most because a message has to be sent that the president of the United States cannot use the Department of Justice to target his political enemies," Comey said.
"I don't care what your politics are. You have to see that it is fundamentally un-American and a threat to the rule of law that keeps all of us free."
Comey’s lawyers argued that Bondi did not have legal authority to appoint Halligan to the role.
In her ruling, District Judge Cameron McGowan Currie said she agreed with this sentiment.
"I agree with Mr Comey that the Attorney General's attempt to install Ms Halligan as Interim US Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia was invalid,” she said.
"And because Ms Halligan had no lawful authority to present the indictment, I will grant Mr Comey's motion and dismiss the indictment without prejudice."
The case against James, whom Trump previously sued for defrauding New York Banks and businesses, had been dismissed for the same reasons.
James said she was “heartened by today’s victory”.
"I remain fearless in the face of these baseless charges as I continue fighting for New Yorkers every single day," she said in a statement to US media.
