Trump Praises Pam Bondi, Nominates Former Lawyer Lindsey Halligan as U.S. Attorney for Eastern District of Virginia

President Donald Trump took to social media Saturday to shower praise on U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi while announcing his nomination of his former lawyer, Lindsey Halligan, as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia.

The announcement comes amid turmoil in the Virginia office, which is currently investigating New York Attorney General Letitia James for alleged mortgage fraud. Trump’s statement not only highlights his confidence in Bondi but also signals a shake-up in the Justice Department, raising questions about political influence in federal prosecutions.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote: “Pam Bondi is doing a GREAT job as Attorney General of the United States. She is very careful, very smart, loves our Country, but needs a tough prosecutor in the Eastern District of Virginia, like my recommendation, Lindsey Halligan, to get things moving. What we don’t need is a Democrat Endorsed ‘Republican.’ I will be nominating Lindsey Halligan to be the United States Attorney in this very important part of our Great Country. She will be Fair, Smart, and will provide, desperately needed, JUSTICE FOR ALL!” The post, made just before Trump left the White House for an event in Mount Vernon, sent shockwaves through Washington’s political circles.

The nomination arrives at a critical juncture. The Eastern District of Virginia’s U.S. Attorney’s Office, often called the “rocket docket” for its swift case handling, has been in disarray. On Friday, interim U.S. Attorney Eric Seibert abruptly resigned—or, as Trump claims, was “fired.” Trump criticized Seibert, whom he nominated in May, as “unfit” after Virginia’s two Democratic senators approved his appointment. The sudden reversal underscores Trump’s push for loyalists in key Justice Department roles.

Who is Lindsey Halligan? The 40-year-old attorney has been a key figure in Trump’s legal orbit. She represented him during the Mar-a-Lago raid tied to the classified documents probe. Currently serving as a Special Assistant in the White House, Halligan has worked on aligning Smithsonian Museum content with Trump’s “American Exceptionalism” vision. Trump described her as “sharp, smart, and loyal.” According to Fox News, her nomination aims to accelerate the investigation into Letitia James, a longtime Trump adversary who won a civil fraud case against him in 2023. The Trump administration is now targeting James with mortgage fraud allegations.

While Trump lauded Bondi, his comments subtly pressure her leadership. Bondi, a former Florida Attorney General, was confirmed by the Senate in February 2025 with a 54-46 vote. She served as a defense attorney in Trump’s first impeachment trial and backed his baseless 2020 election fraud claims. Trump praised her but stressed the need for a “tough prosecutor” to “move things along.” ABC News reported a now-deleted post where Trump urged Bondi to “find guilty” his opponents, hinting at his expectations for aggressive action.

Following the announcement, conservative attorney Mary “Maggie” Cleary informed staff via email that she would serve as the office’s acting head. CBS News obtained the email, in which Cleary noted her background in the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. The White House has not clarified who will lead pending Halligan’s Senate confirmation.

Political reactions are sharp. Democratic senators decried the move as “Trump’s takeover of the Justice Department.” New York Senator Chuck Schumer called it “vindictive justice.” Republican Senator Chuck Grassley praised Bondi but remained silent on Halligan. The nomination sets the stage for a contentious Senate confirmation battle, with implications for the Justice Department’s independence.

As Trump pushes for loyalists like Halligan, the Eastern District of Virginia—handling high-profile cases—faces intense scrutiny. With Bondi under pressure and James in the crosshairs, this move signals Trump’s intent to reshape federal law enforcement in his image, sparking debates over fairness and politicization.