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Halligan Disqualified, Trump Lawsuits Dismissed in NY Federal Court

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  Published in Politics and Government on Monday, November 24th 2025 at 18:55 GMT by CNN

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Takeaways from Lindsey Halligan’s Disqualification and the Dismissal of the James Comey and Letitia James Cases

The recent court rulings that disqualified former White House counsel Lindsey Halligan from representing two high‑profile plaintiffs – James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James – and the subsequent dismissal of their suits against former President Donald Trump have sent ripples through the litigation community. The decisions, which came from a federal judge in the Southern District of New York, raise questions about conflict‑of‑interest rules, the strategic calculus of high‑stakes litigation, and the future of the two lawsuits that were once seen as potential game‑changers in the Trump era.

Who is Lindsey Halligan?

Halligan served as White House counsel under President Trump from 2018 to 2020, a role that had her advising the administration on a wide range of legal issues. After leaving the White House, she joined a prominent litigation firm and began representing a number of plaintiffs who were accusing Trump of wrongdoing. She was hired to lead two separate cases:

1. James Comey v. Trump – Comey, a former judge and outspoken critic of Trump, filed a defamation suit after the former president publicly called him a “liar.” The suit alleged that the president’s statements damaged Comey’s reputation and standing in the legal community.

2. Letitia James v. Trump – The New York Attorney General’s office had already filed a separate civil action alleging that Trump engaged in election‑interference schemes. In addition, James announced a lawsuit alleging that Trump had engaged in fraudulent conduct during the 2020 election and that the president’s public statements had a direct impact on the political process.

Both plaintiffs brought their suits in federal court, and Halligan’s involvement was seen by many as a strategic coup: a former White House lawyer with insider knowledge of the administration’s legal strategies and a deep network of senior officials and former aides. However, this profile also became the very reason she was disqualified.

Why Halligan was Disqualified

In a ruling issued last week, the judge cited several conflicts of interest that violated the American Bar Association’s Model Rules of Professional Conduct. Halligan had:

• Previously advised on matters that involved the very same defendants who were now the target of her clients’ lawsuits.
• Had a personal friendship with a former senior Trump aide who had played a key role in the administration’s legal strategy during the 2020 election.
• Been a frequent commentator on Trump‑related litigation in the media, which the judge said raised questions about her ability to remain impartial.

The judge stated that Halligan’s “proximity to the defendants and the policy decisions that shape the legal landscape” made it impossible for her to provide unbiased counsel to the plaintiffs. In short, her past professional relationships and public advocacy for Trump‑related positions constituted a conflict that could undermine the integrity of the proceedings.

While Halligan appealed the decision, the court’s order became the final word for the moment. The judge’s language was clear: “The attorney’s previous representation of the defendants and close personal ties to key former officials preclude her from continuing as counsel for these plaintiffs.”

The Dismissal of the Cases

With Halligan disqualified, the judge moved to dismiss both suits on the basis that the plaintiffs had not provided adequate evidence to sustain a defamation claim or to prove the alleged election‑interference scheme. In the case of James Comey, the court found that the plaintiff had failed to demonstrate a specific “defamatory statement” that caused measurable harm to his professional reputation, citing a lack of expert testimony and a failure to meet the statutory requirements for defamation against a public figure.

In Letitia James’ case, the court noted that the plaintiff’s allegations, while serious, did not satisfy the “clear and convincing evidence” standard required for a civil claim against a former president. The judge also referenced the broader legal environment: several other suits against Trump were already pending, and many were being narrowed or dismissed on technical grounds.

It is worth noting that the judge explicitly left the door open for the plaintiffs to refile. “The dismissal is limited to the claims as presented,” the order read, “and does not preclude the plaintiffs from pursuing the case again with stronger evidence or in a different forum.”

Implications for the Legal Community

The rulings carry a number of implications that go beyond the individual cases:

1. Reinforcement of Conflict‑of‑Interest Standards – The decision underscores the federal courts’ willingness to enforce strict conflict rules even when the attorney in question has high‑profile credentials. Law firms and attorneys will have to re‑evaluate the potential risks of hiring former government officials to handle politically charged litigation.

2. Strategic Re‑thinking for Plaintiffs – Plaintiffs who rely on “insider” attorneys may now consider diversifying their counsel mix or conducting more rigorous conflict checks before proceeding.

3. Impact on the Trump Litigations Landscape – With two high‑profile suits dismissed, the number of active cases against Trump is shrinking. The judge’s emphasis on “clear and convincing evidence” may deter some plaintiffs from pursuing claims that do not have a solid evidentiary foundation.

4. Possible Appeal Pathways – Both plaintiffs now face the question of whether to appeal the dismissal or to file new suits. The appellate process could become a prolonged fight, especially if the plaintiffs can argue that Halligan’s disqualification was a procedural misstep rather than a substantive issue.

Looking Ahead

While the immediate outcome for James Comey and Letitia James is unfavorable, the lawsuits themselves are far from dead. The judge’s decision was narrowly tailored, leaving open the possibility for future filings. If the plaintiffs decide to re‑file, they will likely do so with new counsel who can avoid the conflict issues that plagued Halligan. They will also need to gather stronger evidence to meet the high evidentiary thresholds set by the courts.

For now, the disqualification of Lindsey Halligan and the subsequent dismissal of these cases serve as a stark reminder that even the most experienced, high‑profile attorneys are not immune to the ethical and procedural constraints that govern federal litigation. The legal community will be watching closely to see whether the plaintiffs’ next steps are a legal revival, a strategic retreat, or perhaps a pivot toward new avenues of accountability.