Lindsey Halligan, 36, was sworn in as interim U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia on Monday, stepping into one of the nation’s most influential prosecutorial offices despite having no prior experience as a prosecutor. Her appointment follows President Donald Trump’s removal of Erik Siebert, who had refused to pursue charges against New York Attorney General Letitia James and former FBI Director James Comey.
From three federal cases to a high-profile appointment
Halligan’s rapid transition from Florida insurance lawyer to federal prosecutor marks a sharp departure from traditional Justice Department norms. Court records show she participated in only three federal cases, all while serving as one of Trump’s personal attorneys. By comparison, Siebert, her predecessor, was listed as an attorney on 675 federal cases over the course of his prosecutorial career.
From beauty pageants to insurance law
Before joining Trump’s legal circle, Halligan followed a conventional legal path. She attended Holy Family High School in Colorado and earned a degree in political science and broadcast journalism from Regis University in Denver—the same school Erika Kirk, Charlie Kirk’s wife, attended. During her college years, Halligan competed twice in the Miss Colorado USA pageant, reaching the semifinals in 2009 and placing third runner-up in 2010.
After graduating from the University of Miami School of Law in 2013, Halligan was admitted to the Florida Bar in 2014 and began working at Cole, Scott & Kissane, a Fort Lauderdale–based insurance law firm. She became a partner in 2018, primarily representing insurance companies in disputes over residential and commercial property claims.
Joining Trump’s legal team
Halligan’s career took a dramatic turn in November 2021 when she met Trump at his West Palm Beach golf course, according to a statement to the Washington Post. She joined his legal team several months later amid the FBI’s investigation into his handling of classified documents. Halligan was present during the FBI’s August 2022 search of Mar-a-Lago and later participated in Trump v. United States, a lawsuit seeking a special master review of seized materials.
Her federal court debut faced challenges. District Judge Aileen Cannon rejected two of her filings for failing to comply with local procedures, directing her to court resources for proper document submission. A subsequent refiling was also rejected.
Despite these setbacks, Halligan remained an active member of Trump’s legal team, representing him in matters including a dismissed defamation lawsuit against CNN and issues tied to the classified documents case. She frequently defended Trump on conservative media outlets, including Fox News and Newsmax.
After Trump’s 2024 election victory, Halligan joined the White House as senior associate staff secretary. In March 2025, she was tasked with reviewing Smithsonian Institution museums, the National Zoo, and other facilities to remove what she deemed “improper ideology,” focusing on exhibits she viewed as disparaging to the United States.
A critical office
The Eastern District of Virginia, known as the “rocket docket” for its swift case processing, handles major national security and terrorism cases due to its proximity to Washington, D.C. Serving over 6 million people with a staff of 300 prosecutors, the office plays a pivotal role in federal law enforcement. Under federal law, Halligan can serve as interim U.S. attorney for only 120 days unless extended by federal judges or confirmed by the Senate.
Trump announced her nomination via social media, calling her someone who “represented me (and WON!) in the disgraceful Democrat Documents Hoax” and praising her as “extremely intelligent” and “fearless.” Her appointment reflects a broader pattern of Trump installing former personal attorneys in key Justice Department roles, including Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche and interim New Jersey U.S. Attorney Alina Habba.
Prosecutorial pressure
Halligan now faces pressure to pursue cases that career prosecutors have judged insufficiently supported by evidence. According to MSNBC, prosecutors recently presented her with a detailed memo recommending against charging Comey with perjury and obstruction, citing inadequate evidence. Sources told the outlet that prosecutors could not establish probable cause against the former FBI director.
Her appointment has drawn criticism from former federal prosecutors, who see it as part of Trump’s effort to politicize the Justice Department. Legal experts have expressed concern over placing someone without prosecutorial experience in charge of politically sensitive investigations.
As Halligan settles into her new role, she faces the dual challenge of managing a major federal office and navigating intense political pressure to pursue cases that career prosecutors have deemed legally insufficient. Her tenure will likely become a key test of the independence of federal law enforcement under the Trump administration.
