From Politico: A federal magistrate judge says “government misconduct” may have tainted the criminal case against former FBI Director James Comey, describing a cascade of apparent errors by lead prosecutor Lindsey Halligan.
The magistrate judge, William Fitzpatrick, ordered prosecutors Monday to quickly turn over records of secret grand jury proceedings to defense attorneys as they seek to dismiss the false-statement and obstruction-of-Congress charges pending against Comey in federal court in Alexandria, Virginia.
“The Court recognizes this is an extraordinary remedy,” Fitzpatrick wrote in a 24-page opinion, “but given the factually based challenges the defense has raised to the government’s conduct and the prospect that government misconduct may have tainted the grand jury proceedings, disclosure of grand jury materials under these unique circumstances is necessary.”
Fitzpatrick’s decision came after he personally reviewed records of the grand jury proceedings that led to Comey’s Sept. 25 indictment on charges that he lied to Congress in 2020. The indictment was signed by Halligan, President Donald Trump’s handpicked prosecutor, who was installed by Attorney General Pam Bondi when other prosecutors resisted bringing the case against Comey.
The report notes that the judge’s ruling is more evidence that the case against Comey may be dismissed before it even goes to trial.
The validity of Halligan’s appointment to her position is also being challenged, which could lead to her being disqualified from prosecuting the case.
Politico’s Kyle Cheney reported on the proceedings, in a series of posts on X:
BREAKING: Magistrate orders DOJ to turn over grand jury materials to Comey, finding real prospect that “government misconduct” may have tainted the case.
MORE: The magistrate said an FBI agent who may have viewed Comey’s privileged materials was nevertheless permitted to present evidence to the grand jury — a “highly irregular” decision and “radical departure” for DOJ. He was the only witness at the GJ.
MORE: The magistrate said an FBI agent who may have viewed Comey’s privileged materials was nevertheless permitted to present evidence to the grand jury — a “highly irregular” decision and “radical departure” for DOJ. He was the only witness at the GJ. https://t.co/WVDpuMbetl pic.twitter.com/wzQ3zgf9d3
— Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) November 17, 2025
👀Fitzpatrick said Halligan made two apparent “fundamental misstatements of law” to the grand jury that could threaten the case.
MORE: Fitzpatrick said he thinks DOJ has not fully disclosed all of the grand jury proceedings, since the jurors approved a second indictment (after rejecting the first) that is not reflected in the transcripts.
MORE: Fitzpatrick said he thinks DOJ has not fully disclosed all of the grand jury proceedings, since the jurors approved a second indictment (after rejecting the first) that is not reflected in the transcripts. https://t.co/WVDpuMaGDN pic.twitter.com/Lad4muIESS
— Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) November 17, 2025
NEW: A “disturbing pattern of profound investigative missteps” by Lindsey Halligan imperils Comey case, magistrate judge finds.https://t.co/2HnnrUNIO3 pic.twitter.com/qoTfCAfxFt
— Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) November 17, 2025
CBS journalist Scott MacFarlane announced: “ALERT: Federal judge orders James Comey defense team can have access to grand jury materials in Comey case:”
“The record points to a disturbing pattern of profound investigative missteps, missteps that led an FBI agent and a prosecutor to potentially undermine the integrity of the grand jury proceeding.”
ALERT: Federal judge orders James Comey defense team can have access to grand jury materials in Comey case:
“The record points to a disturbing pattern of profound investigative missteps, missteps that led an FBI
agent and a prosecutor to potentially undermine the integrity of… pic.twitter.com/XVyYdcz7C5— Scott MacFarlane (@MacFarlaneNews) November 17, 2025
🚨 BREAKING: Federal magistrate judge in Comey case alleges DOJ ‘misconduct,’ says department needs to give grand jury materials to defendant pic.twitter.com/hOhBSJwtmx
— Fox News (@FoxNews) November 17, 2025
BREAKING: A judge says “government misconduct” may have tainted the criminal case against James Comey, describing apparent errors by prosecutor Lindsey Halligan.https://t.co/LTLezggiqU
— POLITICO (@politico) November 17, 2025
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