Lindsey Halligan, the Trump-appointed federal attorney, has resigned as U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Attorney General Pam Bondi announced Tuesday. Halligan, who previously served as former President Trump’s personal lawyer, faced mounting criticism from federal judges over her legal authority and handling of politically charged cases. She led failed prosecutions against New York Attorney General Letitia James and former FBI Director James Comey, both of which were dismissed in November. A federal judge ruled that Halligan had been unlawfully appointed and lacked the authority to bring indictments against James and Comey. The ruling highlighted that interim U.S. attorneys can serve only 120-day terms, after which judges, not the attorney general, have the power to appoint a successor. Halligan’s appointment violated that rule because her predecessor had already served 120 days. While the Justice Department argued it could make back-to-back interim appointments, at least six federal judges rejected that claim. The court decisions cast doubt on Halligan’s ability to legally continue in her role. The controversy escalated on Tuesday when Federal Judge David Novak ordered Halligan to remove the title “United States attorney” from her signature on court filings. Novak warned that disciplinary action could follow if she continued using the title. “No matter all of her machinations, Ms. Halligan has no legal basis to represent to this Court that she holds the position,” Novak wrote. “This charade of Ms. Halligan masquerading as the United States Attorney for this District in direct defiance of binding court orders must come to an end.” In a separate action, Chief Judge M. Hannah Lauck directed the clerk to announce the position as officially vacant, signaling a formal search for a new U.S. attorney. Halligan had no prior prosecutorial experience before her appointment in September, after Trump pushed out her predecessor, who had declined to bring charges against James and Comey. Critics described Halligan’s tenure as politically motivated, noting the dismissals highlighted serious legal and procedural flaws in her indictments. Despite the controversy, Bondi praised Halligan in a social media post, calling her service “courageous and resolute.” She added, “The circumstances that led to this outcome are deeply misguided. We are living in a time when a democratically elected President’s ability to staff key law enforcement positions faces serious obstacles.” Halligan’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment, and no further details were given about her next steps. Her departure underscores the legal and political challenges surrounding interim appointments in the U.S. attorney system. Halligan’s experience has raised questions about the limits of presidential authority, judicial oversight, and the proper process for filling key Justice Department positions. Federal courts have made it clear that appointments must adhere to statutory rules, especially when politically sensitive cases are involved. Halligan’s tenure, while brief, has become a cautionary example of the conflicts that can arise when political appointments intersect with legal authority. As the search for a new U.S. attorney begins, the eastern district of Virginia faces heightened scrutiny, particularly for its role in high-profile investigations. Halligan’s resignation may also prompt discussions in Congress and the Justice Department about reforms to interim appointment processes and oversight to prevent similar disputes in the future.