DOJ Confirms Disregard for Judge’s Order in High-Stakes Case

UPDATE: The U.S. Justice Department has taken the shocking step of notifying a federal judge that it will not comply with a court order in a high-stakes criminal case involving New York Attorney General Letitia James. This unprecedented move was revealed in a filing submitted on October 3, 2023.

The court order specifically required federal prosecutors to provide discovery related to James’ motion to dismiss the case on the grounds of vindictive prosecution. However, Assistant U.S. Attorney Roger Keller made it clear that this would not occur, stating, “The Government provides notice of its intent not to provide vindictive/selective prosecution-related discovery prior to Defendant’s motion because the law does not allow a defendant to have discovery on the government’s prosecutorial decisions until the defendant overcomes a significant barrier.”

This announcement has left legal experts astounded, marking a rare instance of a federal agency openly defying a judicial directive. Legal analyst Josh Gerstein from Politico remarked on social media, “Unusual filing in Tish James case. DOJ says it isn’t complying with judge’s order to turn over discovery on selective prosecution issue.”

The controversy deepened as it follows a series of missteps by Trump’s acting U.S. attorney, Lindsey Halligan, who was appointed under questionable circumstances. The Justice Department has felt compelled to publicly endorse Halligan’s appointment and the charges she is pursuing to prevent a federal court from disqualifying her.

This development is critical as it raises questions about the balance of power between federal prosecutors and the judiciary, particularly in politically charged cases. The decision not to comply with the judge’s order could have far-reaching implications for the ongoing prosecution against James, who has aggressively pursued legal actions against Trump.

As the situation unfolds, all eyes will be on the federal court to see how it reacts to the DOJ’s stunning declaration. Legal experts are urging close attention to the next moves from both the prosecution and the defense. This case is expected to continue to draw significant media attention and public interest, highlighting the broader implications for justice and accountability in political matters.

Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops and we monitor any responses from the federal judiciary or additional legal ramifications stemming from this extraordinary decision.