In January 2025, Trump named Halligan as the White House senior associate staff secretary. She advocated for action against exhibits at Smithsonian Institution museums that she saw as disparaging the United States. In September, Trump forced the interim United States attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Erik Siebert, from his position over his handling of his office's investigations into Trump opponents. He named Halligan, who has had no prosecutorial experience, as the interim U.S. attorney and nominated her for the position.
After graduating from law school, Halligan worked for Cole, Scott & Kissane,[2] an insurance law firm specializing in residential and commercial properties.[4] She became a partner in 2018.[2] At Cole, Scott & Kissane, Halligan represented insurance companies against lawsuits filed by homeowners and corporate plaintiffs.[5]
Halligan intended to ask a grand jury to indict Comey, despite an internal memorandum arguing that she should not bring charges against him.[15] On September 25, with only days remaining before the five-year statute of limitations would have expired, Halligan signed Comey's indictment.[23][24][19] In October, Halligan indicted Letitia James for alleged mortgage fraud.[25] On October 20, Comey's attorneys filed a motion for dismissal, alleging that Halligan's interim appointment was carried out in violation of federal law.[26][27][28]The New York Times noted that "A ruling finding that Ms. Halligan was put into her post improperly could cause [prosecutorial] problems in Ms. James's case as well."[29]
As an interim U.S. Attorney, Halligan has emphasized a strict zero-tolerance policy on the unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information at the Office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia.[30] In October 2025, Lawfare reporter Anna Bower published a Signal exchange, in which Halligan raised complaints about the media's coverage and characterization of the James indictment.[31][32] Days later, James filed a request with the judge in charge of her case, seeking to bar federal prosecutors from speaking with the media about evidence in the case, arguing that this was needed in order to ensure a fair trial.[33][34]
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