The Beat with Ari Melber Trump Loses Cases Against FBI Vet Comey, AG James
Nov 25, 2025
Ro Khanna, a U.S. Representative known for his oversight work on Justice Department records, joins former federal prosecutor John Flannery to discuss a judge's dismissal of cases against James Comey and Letitia James. They dive into the legal fallout from the unlawful appointment of U.S. attorney Lindsey Halligan, drawing parallels to Watergate. Khanna also highlights the bipartisan push for transparency surrounding the Epstein files, emphasizing the importance of survivor priorities and potential future investigations into powerful figures.
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Unlawful Appointment Threw Out Cases
- The judge dismissed prosecutions of James Comey and Letitia James because Lindsey Halligan was unlawfully appointed as interim U.S. attorney.
- That ruling blocks those cases now and creates precedent limiting a president's ability to use temporary loyalists to bring politicized charges.
Courts Are Building Anti‑Revenge Precedent
- The dismissals signal a broader rebuke to attempts at selective, revenge prosecutions by the president.
- Courts are building precedent this year that has so far stopped multiple politically motivated cases before trial.
Don't Sidestep Senate Confirmation
- Presidents cannot bypass Senate confirmation by stacking temporary prosecutors to pursue political enemies.
- Rely on proper appointments and Senate processes instead of attempting unilateral temporary installs.