Fox News host Laura Ingraham publicly held Attorney General Pam Bondi’s Department of Justice responsible for the dismissal of charges against two individuals seen as political opponents of President Donald Trump. This criticism marked a rare moment of on-air disapproval of the administration’s legal tactics.
The issue revolves around the criminal charges filed against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James by Lindsey Halligan, who assumed the role of interim U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia in September. On Monday, November 24, 2025, a federal judge dismissed both cases without prejudice, ruling that Halligan’s appointment was illegal, thereby allowing the defendants to be charged again.
Halligan, formerly a beauty pageant contestant and insurance lawyer with no prosecutorial background, secured the indictments shortly after her swearing-in. Her appointment followed the departure of veteran prosecutor Erik Siebert, who opposed charging James. Bondi was reportedly caught off guard by the case against James, as Halligan had moved forward with the indictment without notifying the attorney general.
Ingraham, during a Monday episode of her show, hosted attorney David Schoen, who discussed the legal situation. Ingraham later echoed Schoen’s evaluation on social media, sharing a clip of the interview and writing on X: “An avoidable BLUNDER — and DOJ knew it.” This post was a notable deviation from the usual supportive coverage Fox News hosts provide Trump, especially concerning his administration’s legal actions.
James had previously led a civil fraud case against Trump in New York, while Comey managed investigations during his time as FBI director. These prosecutions seemed to coincide with Trump’s public calls for action against his critics.
Bondi attempted to salvage the prosecutions earlier this month by retroactively appointing Halligan as a special attorney and ratifying her actions before the grand juries in both cases. This effort was unsuccessful, as federal judges had already dismissed other Trump-appointed U.S. attorneys who, like Halligan, were not Senate-confirmed.
During the interview, Schoen commended Halligan’s bravery while acknowledging the challenges she encountered. His remarks, however, did not address the Justice Department’s reported difficulties in finding other attorneys to endorse indictments that defendants have argued are politically motivated.
The prosecutions have highlighted broader concerns regarding the politicization of federal law enforcement. In September, Trump unintentionally made public a private message meant for Bondi, calling for the prosecution of Comey, James, and Democratic Senator Adam Schiff of California. This public directive to Bondi raised questions about whether the indictments were based on genuine prosecutorial concerns or political motives.
Schiff, who previously served in the U.S. House of Representatives before his Senate run, was involved in Trump’s impeachment proceedings. The revelation of Trump’s direct communication with Bondi regarding specific targets intensified concerns about undue political influence over prosecutorial decisions.
The dismissal without prejudice allows prosecutors to potentially bring new charges, provided they address the legal issues identified by the judge. However, the ruling on the unlawfulness of Halligan’s appointment poses significant challenges for any future prosecution efforts. Legal experts suggest that properly appointed prosecutors would need to present the cases to new grand juries to obtain fresh indictments.
Ingraham’s decision to criticize the Justice Department’s handling of these prominent cases highlights an unusual moment of discord between the Fox News host and the Trump administration. Her show often covers politics, business, and legal matters, and she has maintained close relationships with Trump and his family over the years. The public critique suggests growing frustration among some Trump allies over what they perceive as preventable legal errors that have hampered the administration’s efforts to pursue its political opponents through the criminal justice system.