Share this @internewscast.com
A prominent supporter of Trump, who recently assumed leadership of the influential Virginia US attorney’s office, has initiated significant changes by dismissing a senior Justice Department official who had briefly overseen the office.
Lindsey Halligan has been taking steps to assert her authority over the office after Donald Trump hand-picked her for the role on September 20.
Following the resignation of Erik Siebert, the original Trump-appointed US Attorney in the Eastern District of Virginia, pressured by Trump for not charging former FBI director James Comey, Maggie Cleary, a seasoned career prosecutor, was assigned to temporarily take over his responsibilities.
Halligan then became the replacement, and Cleary sided with her colleagues in opposing Halligan’s decision to bring the Comey case.
During the grand jury testimony, Cleary sat in the back row rather than at the government table in a clear display of disunity within the department.
Now, according to CNN, she has been removed from the office entirely.
It is uncertain whether she continues to work for the Justice Department in a different capacity or if she has been completely dismissed.
Her departure comes amid mass changes in the department since Halligan took over.
Lindsey Halligan has been making efforts to establish her command over the office after being directly selected for the position by President Donald Trump on September 20.
Trump made it public via social media that he had nominated Halligan as U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, adding that she ‘will be Fair, Smart, and provide much-needed JUSTICE FOR ALL.’
Two other long term prosecutors, Michael Ben’Ary and Maya Song, were fired after Halligan charged Comey.
Ben’Ary left a note on his office door as he departed, alleging that the Justice Department leadership was ‘more focused on punishing the president’s perceived adversaries than on safeguarding our national security.’
Comey’s son-in-law Troy Edwards Jr. also resigned from the office. Comey is accused of making a false statement to Congress and obstruction of a congressional proceeding back in 2020. He maintains his innocence.
‘My family and I have known for years that there are costs to standing up to Donald Trump,’ Comey said after his indictment.
A source told CNN Halligan intends to move prosecutors along who may oppose her work in targeting high-profile cases.
She is also involved in the case against former New York Attorney General Leticia James.
James is accused of mortgage fraud relating to paperwork discrepancies on her Brooklyn townhouse and a Virginia home.
Senior prosecutor Maggie Cleary has reportedly been pushed out of the department since Halligan took over
Prior to her appointment, Halligan (top left) had no criminal trial experience but previously served as Trump’s personal attorney.
She is also involved in the case against former New York Attorney General Leticia James. James is accused of mortgage fraud relating to paperwork discrepancies on her Brooklyn townhouse and a Virginia home
James’ lawyers have vigorously denied any allegations and characterized the investigation as an act of political revenge.
Cleary was a stalwart of Republican administrations in Virginia before joining the federal prosecutors office in 2025.
After Halligan took over, Cleary was appointed what was essentially the next best prosecutor’s job, serving under Halligan, who had no criminal trial experience but previously served as Trump’s personal attorney.
Trump announced via social media he was nominating Halligan as U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, writing that she ‘will be Fair, Smart, and will provide, desperately needed, JUSTICE FOR ALL!’
Halligan served as one of his attorneys in the early days of the FBI’s investigation into Trump’s retention of classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.
