For the same reason, the judge also ended the prosecution of New York Attorney General Letitia James, who is also running against Trump.

Judge Cameron McGowan Currie ruled that Halligan's appointment in Virginia was invalid. Trump had personally selected Halligan, and she filed the charges against Comey and James.

According to Currie,"all actions resulting from the unlawful appointment of Halligan," including the charges against Comey and James, were"an unlawful exercise of executive power." Therefore, they are being"set aside."

Comey has long been an opponent of Trump. He was the first high-ranking federal official to be charged in connection with the 2016 investigation into possible collusion between Trump and Russia.

Comey led that investigation and has been charged with making false statements and disrupting the legislative process. According to the indictment, he allegedly made the false statement in 2020 during a hearing while being questioned by a senator. The Justice Department has described these as"serious crimes."

After the indictment was announced on September 25, Comey made it clear in an Instagram video that he was"not afraid" of the legal process. He also said he had confidence in the American justice system.

Mortgage application fraud

James was indicted on suspicion of mortgage fraud. The Democratic-appointed judge allegedly falsely listed a Virginia home as her primary residence, thereby securing more favorable terms for her.

James, as a prosecutor, won a lawsuit against Trump last year. Trump was convicted in New York for exaggerating the value of his assets for years. This allowed him to obtain tax breaks, favorable loans, and low premiums. He was sentenced to pay hundreds of millions in fines, but that fine was waived on appeal. James, in turn, appealed that ruling.