Pam Bondi defends Lindsey Halligan, says judges are engaging in a ‘campaign of bias’

DOJ leaders blasted Virginia judges over bias claims as Pam Bondi and Todd Blanche accused courts of hostility toward Halligan and her prosecutors
Pam Bondi and Todd Blanche denounced ‘judicial activism’ as they claimed that rogue judges undermined impartiality and threatened DOJ’s mission of public safety (Getty Images)
Pam Bondi and Todd Blanche denounced ‘judicial activism’ as they claimed that rogue judges undermined impartiality and threatened DOJ’s mission of public safety (Getty Images)


WASHINGTON, DC: The Department of Justice issued a statement on X from Pam Bondi and Todd Blanche on Monday, December 8. The X post criticized some district courts and magistrate judges in Virginia for “engaging in an unconscionable” campaign against Lindsey Halligan and termed their behavior biased and hostile.

ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA - JULY 15: U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi speaks during a news conference at the DEA headquarters on July 15, 2025 in Arlington, Virginia. The Department of Justice and the Drug Enforcement Administration held a news conference to announce that 71 kilograms of fentanyl and 20 kilograms of methamphetamine were seized in South Carolina as part of the “Operation Take Back America” initiative. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Attorney General Pam Bondi speaks during a news conference at the DEA headquarters on July 15, 2025, in Arlington, Virginia (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Pam Bondi and Todd Blanche slam ‘judicial activism’

In the social media post, the attorney general and the deputy attorney general said that Halligan and her “line AUSAs” were "simply doing their jobs."

The statement further read that they were advocating for the DOJ’s positions while following the suggestions and guidance of the Office of Legal Counsel.

The DOJ slammed the judges in the Eastern District of Virginia for questioning Lindsey Halligan and her attorneys’ reputation in court for “ethically advocating” for their clients. 

“This Department of Justice has no tolerance for undemocratic judicial activism,” the post further read. 

Lindsey Halligan, attorney for U.S. President Donald Trump, looks on during an executive order signing in the Oval Office of the White House, on March 31, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Al Drago/Getty Images)
Lindsey Halligan, attorney for President Donald Trump, looks on during an executive order signing in the Oval Office of the White House, on March 31, 2025, in Washington, DC (Al Drago/Getty Images)

The post stated that the DOJ will continue fighting for “public safety in courtrooms” and that it would not be deterred by “rogue judges who fail to live up to their obligations” and are unable to be impartial due to their own political views. 

The statement concluded by noting the American people and the people of the Eastern District of Virginia deserved “nothing less.”

DOJ’s statement comes after complaints against Lindsey Halligan

Last month, Lindsey Halligan was picked to lead criminal cases against New York Attorney General Letitia James and former FBI director James Comey.

However, Campaign for Accountability filed a complaint against Halligan, alleging that she violated professional and “ethical rules,” including making false statements and “bringing cases that are unsupported by probable cause.”

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 23: U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi delivers remarks as U.S. President Donald Trump delivers an announcement on his Homeland Security Task Force in the State Dining Room of the White House on October 23, 2025 in Washington, DC. Trump announced the successes of his administration’s task force including the arrests of over 3,000 cartel and foreign terrorist members. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Attorney General Pam Bondi delivers remarks as President Donald Trump delivers an announcement on his Homeland Security Task Force in the State Dining Room of the White House on October 23, 2025, in Washington, DC (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

The complaint further read that Halligan was “weaponizing the DOJ to prosecute” Donald Trump’s enemies and that it could “destroy” the democratic principles that were the foundation of the American Constitution. 

“Ms Halligan’s active participation in this course of action is an abuse of her governmental authority,” the complaint alleged.

It further stated that it was also “prejudicial” to the administration of justice and reflected on her fitness as a lawyer.

Last week, a federal judge ruled that Lindsey Halligan had been appointed as the US attorney “unlawfully” by the Trump administration. As a result, the judge ordered the dismissal of the case against James Comey and Letitia James. 

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