Lindsay Harrigan has recently found himself in the national spotlight as he steps in as the lead prosecutor in the case against former FBI director James Comey.
Previously, Harrigan served as a personal attorney for Trump and held a position within the White House until last week, when he was appointed as the interim U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia.
Now, he’s under the microscope as he prepares to prosecute Comey, who was charged with two counts on Thursday.
Here’s a bit more about Harrigan.
Former Trump Lawyer Transitions to U.S. Attorney
Harrigan, who specializes in insurance law, entered Trump’s sphere in 2022 when he joined the legal team.
He was involved in the proceedings in Florida regarding Trump’s handling of classified documents in a case connected to special adviser Jack Smith. Harrigan also contributed to multiple legal matters for Trump.
Trump announced Harrigan’s appointment over the weekend following Eric Sheebert’s departure from the role. Sheebert reportedly left due to insufficient evidence for charges against New York Attorney General Leticia James regarding mortgage fraud. He also expressed doubts about the appropriateness of prosecuting Comey.
“Lindsay is a tough, smart, loyal lawyer who has been with me for a long time,” Trump commented on the appointment.
Leads Smithsonian Review for the White House
Since January, Harrigan has worked as a senior aide in the White House under the staff secretary. Recently, he accompanied Trump at the U.S. Open Men’s Tennis Final.
One of his key tasks involved overseeing a review of the Smithsonian Museum exhibitions to ensure they aligned with Trump’s executive orders.
Harrigan played a significant role in communicating with eight Smithsonian museums, including the National Museum of African American History and Culture and the American History Museum.
He took to media to defend the administration’s initiatives, especially amid criticism regarding how Trump addressed the issue of slavery, with some alleging an attempt to rewrite history.
“The fact that our country was involved in slavery is terrible, otherwise no one would think of it,” Harrigan stated in an August interview. “But what struck me in the museum was the disproportionate focus on slavery, and I believe there should be greater emphasis on the progress made since that time.”
Questionable Experience for the Role
Although Harrigan is a known supporter of Trump, his background does not include experience in prosecuting federal cases.
According to reports, Harrigan himself presented the case against Comey during a significant trial—a rare move for someone in his position. He had originally sought an additional charge against Comey, but the judge only approved two counts.
It’s noteworthy that Harrigan signed the charges, rather than the more seasoned career prosecutors at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, which suggests some hesitation regarding pursuing charges against Comey.
Comey is scheduled to appear in federal court in Alexandria, Virginia, on October 9th, with U.S. District Judge Michael Nachmanov, appointed by President Biden, overseeing the case.
