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In It to Win It

(12,133 posts)
Mon Nov 24, 2025, 01:29 PM Nov 24

Mark Joseph Stern - re James Comey and a "validly appointed U.S. Attorney" bringing a NEW indictment

I respectfully disagree with Kyle. Currie says Bondi couldn't ratify Halligan's indictment after the statute of limitations. She does NOT say that a future, validly appointed U.S. Attorney (interim or otherwise) is barred from bringing a NEW indictment under §3288 (she leaves that possibility open).

Mark Joseph Stern (@mjsdc.bsky.social) 2025-11-24T18:25:01.913Z

As a practical matter, it may be that no validly appointed U.S. Attorney will be willing to indict Comey—that's why Trump installed Halligan in the first place. But nothing in today's decision, as I read it, bars them from trying.

Mark Joseph Stern (@mjsdc.bsky.social) 2025-11-24T18:25:47.415Z

Put differently: The judge says Bondi couldn't ratify Halligan's invalid indictment after the statute of limitations had run.

The judge did NOT say that a future U.S. Attorney is prohibited from bringing a new, valid indictment within the six-month grace period prescribed by law.

Mark Joseph Stern (@mjsdc.bsky.social) 2025-11-24T18:27:40.685Z

Exactly right: bsky.app/profile/brad...

Mark Joseph Stern (@mjsdc.bsky.social) 2025-11-24T18:28:11.017Z

There's at least an argument that this dismissal will give DOJ more time to bring new charges against Comey, and this time to avoid the landmines it seems to have stepped on during its first attempt.

18 U.S.C. § 3288 grants six months to re-charge after an indictment is dismissed "for any reason."

Brad Heath (@bradheath.bsky.social) 2025-11-24T18:08:08.355Z
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Mark Joseph Stern - re James Comey and a "validly appointed U.S. Attorney" bringing a NEW indictment (Original Post) In It to Win It Nov 24 OP
FFS I can't even remember what Comey was accused of leftstreet Nov 24 #1
making a false statement to Congress In It to Win It Nov 24 #3
Oh. All this for that n/t leftstreet Nov 24 #4
Trump will have to appoint Pete Hegseth or Kristi Noem bucolic_frolic Nov 24 #2
What good is a statute of limitations if DOJ gets a Mulligan? Raven123 Nov 24 #5
With Prejudice snowybirdie Nov 24 #6
Yes, but the judge dismissed the cases without prejudice. nt MarineCombatEngineer Nov 24 #7
Thank you snowybirdie Nov 24 #9
Nobody was willing to try to bring an indictment in these cases Wiz Imp Nov 24 #8

Raven123

(7,358 posts)
5. What good is a statute of limitations if DOJ gets a Mulligan?
Mon Nov 24, 2025, 01:52 PM
Nov 24

An incredible injustice to defendants who incur expensive legal fees. There should be some parameters for do-overs, especially in this Laurel and Hardy do lawyering administration.

Wiz Imp

(8,422 posts)
8. Nobody was willing to try to bring an indictment in these cases
Mon Nov 24, 2025, 03:37 PM
Nov 24

so Halligan was appointed illegally to to it. That has now failed, so they need to find someone else who would be willing to try to bring an indictment. I have serious doubts they'll be able to find anyone.

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