Fox News host Laura Ingraham publicly criticized Attorney General Pam Bondi’s Department of Justice for the dismissal of charges against two individuals seen as political opponents of President Donald Trump. This comment marks a rare moment of on-air critique regarding the administration’s legal approach.
The issue revolves around criminal indictments against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James. These were secured by Lindsey Halligan, who assumed the role of interim U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia in September. On Monday, November 24, a federal judge nullified both cases, citing Halligan’s appointment as unlawful, which means the charges could be refiled.
Halligan, previously a beauty pageant contestant and insurance lawyer without prosecutorial experience, obtained the indictments shortly after her swearing-in. Her appointment followed the removal of veteran prosecutor Erik Siebert, who resisted charging James. The indictment against James was unexpected for Bondi, as Halligan sought it without her prior knowledge.
On her show, Attorney David Schoen discussed the legal issues. Ingraham later supported Schoen’s view on social media, sharing a clip and stating on X: “An avoidable BLUNDER — and DOJ knew it.” This post marked a shift from the generally supportive stance Fox News hosts take toward Trump’s administration, especially on legal matters.
Letitia James had initiated a civil fraud case against Trump in New York, while Comey led investigations during his tenure at the FBI. The prosecutions seemed to align with Trump’s calls for action against his critics.
Bondi attempted to salvage the prosecutions by retroactively appointing Halligan as a special attorney and validating her grand jury actions. This effort was unsuccessful, as federal judges had already disqualified other Trump-appointed U.S. attorneys not confirmed by the Senate.
Schoen praised Halligan’s courage while acknowledging the challenges she faced. However, his remarks did not address the Justice Department’s difficulty in finding attorneys willing to pursue indictments perceived as retaliatory.
The prosecutions highlight concerns about political influence in federal law enforcement. Trump inadvertently shared a private message to Bondi in September, calling for the prosecutions of Comey, James, and Democratic Senator Adam Schiff of California. This public directive raised questions about the motivations behind the indictments.
Schiff, who served in the U.S. House before his Senate run, was involved in Trump’s impeachment proceedings. The revelation that Trump directly communicated with Bondi about specific targets heightened concerns about political influence on prosecutorial decisions.
The dismissal without prejudice means charges could be refiled if legal issues identified by the judge are resolved. However, the unlawfulness of Halligan’s appointment poses significant challenges for future prosecution attempts. Legal experts suggest that appropriately appointed prosecutors would need to present cases to new grand juries for fresh indictments.
Ingraham’s decision to criticize the Justice Department’s handling of these cases reflects an unusual moment of tension between her and the Trump administration. Her show often covers political, business, and legal topics, and she has maintained close ties to Trump and his family. Her public criticism suggests growing frustration among some Trump allies over perceived legal errors that have hindered efforts to pursue political opponents through the justice system.
