Live from NPR News, I'm Lakshmi Seng.

A federal courts dismiss the criminal indictments against two of President Trump's most prominent critics,

New York Attorney General Letitia James and former FBI director James Comey.

On Instagram, Comey says he thinks Trump will come after him again, but he's not afraid.

The message has to be sent that the President of the United States cannot use the Department

of Justice to target his political enemies.

I don't care what your politics are.

You have to see that as fundamentally un-American and a threat to the rule of law that keeps all of us free.

NPR's Kerry Johnson reports the cases were dismissed after the federal judge ruled that

Lindsey Allegan, a U.S. attorney in Virginia that brought the indictments, was unlawfully appointed.

The Trump administration installed Lindsay Halligan as U.S. attorney in Virginia in late September.

Soon after the prosecutor already in that job expressed doubts about

moving forward with charges against prominent critics of President Trump. Now, a federal judge has found

Halligan's appointment defective under the Constitution. The ruling means that indictments

Halligan won against the former FBI director and the sitting New York Attorney General are dismissed for now.

The Justice Department has the option to appeal and could try to revive both cases.

Lawyers for Jim Comey and Tish James are challenging the indictments on several other grounds.

Carrie Johnson, NPR News, Washington.

On Fox News, White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt says the Justice Department plans to appeal the decision in, quote, short order, adding, quote, maybe James Comey should pump the brakes on his victory lap, end quote.

President Trump and President Xi Jinping of China spoke this morning.

NPR's Frank Ordonia's reports to two spoke about trade, Taiwan, and

Ukraine. The two leaders met in person last month in South Korea, where they announced a

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