A federal judge has ordered Lindsey Halligan, a close ally of former President Donald Trump, to explain her continued claim to the position of U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. The order, issued Tuesday, stems from a previous ruling that questioned the legality of her appointment.

Judge Leonie Brinkema’s directive requests Halligan to justify why she maintains the title despite a prior determination by another judge, Judge James P. Donato of the Northern District of California, that her appointment was unlawful. Donato's ruling, made in a case involving a challenge to her authority, concluded that Halligan was not properly appointed to the role.

Halligan was appointed by Trump in December 2020, shortly before he left office. Her appointment was quickly challenged by Democratic lawmakers and legal experts who argued that the process violated federal law. The core of the dispute revolves around whether Trump had the constitutional authority to make such an appointment so close to the end of his term, particularly given the Senate's role in confirming presidential nominations.

The case before Judge Donato involved a defendant arguing that Halligan lacked the authority to prosecute him. Donato’s ruling in that case effectively limited Halligan’s ability to act as U.S. attorney. Brinkema's order signals a more formal inquiry into Halligan's continued assertion of the office, potentially setting the stage for further legal challenges and a definitive resolution to the dispute over her legitimacy.

The Justice Department has not yet commented on Brinkema's order or Halligan’s future role. The situation remains fluid as legal proceedings unfold, and the implications could have significant ramifications for ongoing cases within the Eastern District of Virginia.