Federal Judge Slams DOJ's Probe Approach in James Comey Case
A federal judge has dealt a blow to the Justice Department's (DOJ) investigation into former FBI director James Comey by rejecting another early motion from the prosecution team. The decision, which was made last week and again on Monday, questions the approach taken by Lindsey Halligan-led prosecutors, who lack prior prosecutorial experience.
The DOJ had sought an expedited ruling on how potentially sensitive evidence is processed through a filter protocol, citing concerns that it could inform a potential conflict of interest for Comey's defense team. However, U.S. District Judge Michael Nachmanoff rejected the motion, suggesting that any undue delay was caused by the government itself.
Nachmanoff noted that the DOJ had failed to seek guidance on the filter protocol until October 13, despite having the materials at issue in their possession for several years. He also pointed out that the report forming the basis for the DOJ's claim about Comey's representation was public knowledge since its publication in 2019.
The judge's decision raises questions about the DOJ's approach to the investigation and whether Halligan's team is following best practices. Comey has argued that his prosecution is selective and vindictive, and the DOJ will respond to those claims next month.
The rejection of the expedited ruling on the filter protocol is a significant development in the case, which is still in its early stages. It suggests that the judge may be skeptical of Halligan's approach and that the government has some work to do to build a strong case against Comey.
As the investigation continues, it remains to be seen how this decision will impact the prosecution's strategy and whether the DOJ will be able to overcome these setbacks. For now, it appears that Halligan's team still faces an uphill battle in proving their case against the former FBI director.
				
			A federal judge has dealt a blow to the Justice Department's (DOJ) investigation into former FBI director James Comey by rejecting another early motion from the prosecution team. The decision, which was made last week and again on Monday, questions the approach taken by Lindsey Halligan-led prosecutors, who lack prior prosecutorial experience.
The DOJ had sought an expedited ruling on how potentially sensitive evidence is processed through a filter protocol, citing concerns that it could inform a potential conflict of interest for Comey's defense team. However, U.S. District Judge Michael Nachmanoff rejected the motion, suggesting that any undue delay was caused by the government itself.
Nachmanoff noted that the DOJ had failed to seek guidance on the filter protocol until October 13, despite having the materials at issue in their possession for several years. He also pointed out that the report forming the basis for the DOJ's claim about Comey's representation was public knowledge since its publication in 2019.
The judge's decision raises questions about the DOJ's approach to the investigation and whether Halligan's team is following best practices. Comey has argued that his prosecution is selective and vindictive, and the DOJ will respond to those claims next month.
The rejection of the expedited ruling on the filter protocol is a significant development in the case, which is still in its early stages. It suggests that the judge may be skeptical of Halligan's approach and that the government has some work to do to build a strong case against Comey.
As the investigation continues, it remains to be seen how this decision will impact the prosecution's strategy and whether the DOJ will be able to overcome these setbacks. For now, it appears that Halligan's team still faces an uphill battle in proving their case against the former FBI director.
 ... the more I think about it, the more I see this as a good thing for James Comey and his defense team
... the more I think about it, the more I see this as a good thing for James Comey and his defense team  ! The DOJ is trying to be super cautious with how they process evidence, which sounds like overkill to me
! The DOJ is trying to be super cautious with how they process evidence, which sounds like overkill to me  . I mean, why would anyone have a conflict of interest just because some sensitive info is being filtered through? It's not like the government didn't already know about this protocol... it's been public knowledge since 2019
. I mean, why would anyone have a conflict of interest just because some sensitive info is being filtered through? It's not like the government didn't already know about this protocol... it's been public knowledge since 2019  ! This judge is giving Comey's team more time to prepare and respond to the charges, which might actually work in their favor
! This judge is giving Comey's team more time to prepare and respond to the charges, which might actually work in their favor  . The DOJ needs to step up their game if they want to build a strong case against him
. The DOJ needs to step up their game if they want to build a strong case against him  .
. I mean come on, they had those materials for years and now they're trying to tell us that Comey's defense team is gonna be all like "oh no, you didn't do it right"?
 I mean come on, they had those materials for years and now they're trying to tell us that Comey's defense team is gonna be all like "oh no, you didn't do it right"? 

 . This whole thing just smells like a setup and I am HERE. FOR. IT.
. This whole thing just smells like a setup and I am HERE. FOR. IT. 
 ! so apparently the feds are tryin hard to get james comey but the judge is like nope not gonna let u
! so apparently the feds are tryin hard to get james comey but the judge is like nope not gonna let u  he rejected all these motions from the DOJ and it's like they didn't even do their homework first
 he rejected all these motions from the DOJ and it's like they didn't even do their homework first  the judge said the DOJ should've been looking into this stuff way before now and that's some major sauce
 the judge said the DOJ should've been looking into this stuff way before now and that's some major sauce  Comey's team is already sayin the probe is selective and vindictive and i gotta say idk if the DOJ can overcome this one
 Comey's team is already sayin the probe is selective and vindictive and i gotta say idk if the DOJ can overcome this one  The DOJ's approach might be a bit too aggressive, but we'll have to wait and see how they recover from this setback
 The DOJ's approach might be a bit too aggressive, but we'll have to wait and see how they recover from this setback  . The game of cat and mouse between the prosecution and Comey's team will likely continue for some time now
. The game of cat and mouse between the prosecution and Comey's team will likely continue for some time now 

 We don't know, and that's what makes me kinda skeptical of Halligan's team... but then again, maybe I'm just overthinking this whole thing
 We don't know, and that's what makes me kinda skeptical of Halligan's team... but then again, maybe I'm just overthinking this whole thing 
 . The judge's decision is all about transparency, let's hope it keeps Comey's team in check
. The judge's decision is all about transparency, let's hope it keeps Comey's team in check 
 . judge Nachmanoff seems pretty smart to see through that
. judge Nachmanoff seems pretty smart to see through that  .
. This judge is like, "you guys are messing around"! The DOJ thought they could just wait till the last minute to get this filter protocol thing sorted out, but nope!
 This judge is like, "you guys are messing around"! The DOJ thought they could just wait till the last minute to get this filter protocol thing sorted out, but nope!  . I'm not saying Halligan's team is incompetent or anything, but come on, DOJ! Get it together, man
. I'm not saying Halligan's team is incompetent or anything, but come on, DOJ! Get it together, man  . I just hope Comey gets a fair shake and that his lawyers can poke some holes in this investigation before it's too late
. I just hope Comey gets a fair shake and that his lawyers can poke some holes in this investigation before it's too late  the govt is just tryna delay the proces and make it seem like comey is all bad news
 the govt is just tryna delay the proces and make it seem like comey is all bad news  idk man, i just hope this dont mess up the case too much
 idk man, i just hope this dont mess up the case too much 
 . I mean, come on, the DOJ had all this info for years and they just decided to seek guidance from the court last minute? It's like they didn't even bother to look at their own files before trying to slow down the defense team
. I mean, come on, the DOJ had all this info for years and they just decided to seek guidance from the court last minute? It's like they didn't even bother to look at their own files before trying to slow down the defense team  .
. just read about the judge rejecting the DOJ's motion on how they're handling sensitive evidence in James Comey's case... seems like the government is playing catch-up and making it harder for themselves to build a strong case
 just read about the judge rejecting the DOJ's motion on how they're handling sensitive evidence in James Comey's case... seems like the government is playing catch-up and making it harder for themselves to build a strong case  . Comey's team is right to be skeptical about the DOJ's approach... fingers crossed he gets a fair shake
. Comey's team is right to be skeptical about the DOJ's approach... fingers crossed he gets a fair shake 
 and his team is gonna have to figure out what they're doing next
 and his team is gonna have to figure out what they're doing next  ... or maybe not so much
... or maybe not so much  ... or maybe not?
... or maybe not?