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A federal judge Tuesday ordered Trump ally Lindsey Halligan to explain why she continues to call herself the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia even thoughanother judge determinedin November that she had been unlawfully appointed to the position.

U.S. District Judge David Novak of Richmond issued a three-page order demanding to know why Halligan is still serving in the post. Halligan, who unsuccessfully prosecuted former FBI Direct James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James, is also referred to as U.S. attorney bythe Justice Departmentin official documents.

The judge's order is unusual because he issued it on his own, not at the request of defense attorneys. It came in a case involving a carjacking and attempted bank robbery suspect who was indicted last month.

Novak gave Halligan seven days to respond in writing "explaining the basis for ... identification of herself as the United States Attorney, notwithstanding Judge Currie's contrary ruling. She shall also set forth the reasons why this Court should not strike Ms. Halligan's identification of herself as United States Attorney from the indictment in this matter."

The judge's order goes on to say Halligan "shall further explain why her identification does not constitute a false or misleading statement." Novak also alluded to potential disciplinary action and demanded that Halligan sign her response.

The U.S. attorney's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday night.

In late November, U.S. District Judge Cameron McGowan Currie found that the Justice Department had violated the Constitution by appointing Halligan as U.S. attorney. That finding led to the dismissal of criminal cases against Comey and James.

Currie ruled that all actions "flowing from Ms. Halligan's defective appointment, including securing and signing Mr. Comey's indictment, were unlawful exercises of executive power." She issued a separate, similar ruling in the James case, saying Halligan had exercised power she "did not lawfully possess."

Novak acknowledged Tuesday that the November ruling regarding Halligan's appointmenthad been appealedbut said that since the order had not been paused, it remains the "binding precedent of the district and is not subject to being ignored."

Other judges in the district have previously expressed their frustration with Halligan, including one who now places an asterisk next to Halligan's name on every court document and next to it refers to Currie's ruling from November.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Acting Director Todd Lyonsdescribed the deployment in an interview on Newsmaxas "the largest immigration operation ever." He did not say how many agents the deployment would involve or how long it was expected to last.

Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told USA TODAY the agency does not "get into law enforcement footprint" for the safety of officers.

The development comes asHilton said it severed ties with a hotel franchise in Minneapolisthat had allegedly canceled the reservations of ICE agents working in the area. The company apologized and said it would contact all of its franchises nationwide to "reinforce the standards we hold them to" and "help ensure this does not happen again."

More:Homeland Security blasts Hilton Hotels over canceled ICE reservation

Immigration agents have been operating in Minneapolis for several weeks as pressure ramps up amid the fraud scandal that's led to federal probes and political shakeups. According to McLaughlin, agents have made more than 1,000 arrests since first deploying resources to Minnesota.

On Monday, Dec. 5,Minnesota Gov. Tim Walzannounced he plans to end his reelection bid, saying the election would distract him from "defending the people of Minnesota against the criminals who prey on our generosity."

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz: His career in photos

Since 2022, the Justice Department has charged more than 80 people, many of them U.S. citizens of Somali descent, in connection with fraud schemes targeting government-funded programs, including child nutrition and housing initiatives. At least 60 suspects have been convicted in multiple fraud cases in the state.

In recent weeks, PresidentDonald Trumphas seized on the scandal, calling outWalzand targeting the Somali population, at one point calling them "garbage" and telling reporters, "I don't want them in my country."

In December, the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security both announced a surge of federal agents tasked with tracking down fraudsters. Other federal agencies have also taken action, including theSmall Business Administrationand theDepartment of Health and Human Services, freezing thousands of business loans and childcare payments.

The Twin Cities region is home to the largest Somali population in the United States, with about 84,000 residents living in the area, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The majority of Somalis in Minnesota are U.S. citizens who were either born in the country or became citizens through the naturalization process.

Christopher Cann is a national breaking news reporter for USA TODAY. Contact him via email at ccann@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Federal immigration agents flood into Minnesota amid fraud scandal

In a warm-up for his role in the upcoming Winter Olympics, Snoop Dogg was given a microphone during the second half of the NBA game between the Golden State Warriors and the Clippers on Monday night at the Intuit Dome.

Can't wait for those Olympics! Snoop hilariously sizzled when Warriors coach Steve Kerr stormed the court in the fourth quarter of the Clippers' 103-102 victory.

"The Arizona Wildcat done came out of him. Look at him!"Snoop said, alluding to Kerr's college team. "Aw, Rawwwr, rawwwr, rawwwr!"

Kerr was hit with two technical fouls in less than a minute. He nearly got one with 8:44 to play when Warriors guard Stephen Curry made a shot that appeared to be a continuation after a foul, but the officials nullified the basket.

Less than a minute later, Kerr found a new level of vehemence after the Clippers' John Collins wasn't called for goaltending on a shot by Gary Payton II. Thefour-time NBA championship coachflew into a rage, aggressively gesturing at officials and screaming.

ok.. it was worth having Snoop on the broadcast just to hear him call this Steve Kerr crash out 🤣🤣🤣pic.twitter.com/FJzXxqnal9

— outbreezy (@outbreezyWC)January 6, 2026

Kerr picked up the two technicals — his first in nearly four seasons — and was held back by Payton and assistant coaches before exiting to the locker room.

Snoop Dogg, who had joined regular Peacock/NBC announcers Reggie Miller and Terry Gannon for the second half, rose to the occasion, his commentary keeping pace with Kerr's antics.

"Oh, Steve gonna get thrown out! Get him out of there. Get him out of there! Back him up!" Snoop barked.

All Miller and Gannon could do was laugh as Snoop continued, referencing the location of the Intuit Dome and Kerr's Southern California ties: "Steve back in Inglewood right now. Inglewooood!!! Get him, Steve! You in Inglewood, Steve!"

Read more:How Snoop Dogg became America's sweetheart at the Paris Olympics

Snoop will join NBC Olympics host Mike Tirico in Italy in February, riffing on stories that unfold at the Winter Gamesthe way he didat the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics. The NBA game was an indication he'll again be up to the task.

"We are excited to have Snoop bring his unique energy and passion to our NBA coverage," NBC Sports executive producer Sam Floodsaid in a statement. "It will be a once in a lifetime opportunity to watch Snoop, Reggie and Terry talk hoops with a side order of fun."

Read more:'Conspiracy theories': Clippers' Kawhi Leonard denies that his endorsement deal was cheating

Snoop said in the release that his debut as an NBA game broadcaster "is a dream come true for me. I can't wait to bring a fresh vibe to the analysis."

For the record, official Brian Forteacknowledged after the gamethat goaltending should have been called against Collins. Currytold reportersthat he appreciated his coach's passion.

"Two crazy calls in a row that you feel like can dictate the momentum of the game, it doesn't mean a win or a loss, it just dictates the momentum," Curry said. "I love that fired up Steve, for sure. Somebody had to do it."

Visiting Los Angeles has been emotional for Kerr since the Pacific Palisades wildfire a year agodestroyed his childhood home, which his family bought in 1969. His mother, 90-year-old Ann Kerr, still lived in the house, located near Rivas Canyon, and was evacuated safely.

Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report.

This story originally appeared inLos Angeles Times.

Murray left the game with a left ankle injurywith 4:01 left in the third quarter after driving to the rim, colliding with Bucks center Myles Turner and landing awkwardly. He did not return to Sunday's game against the Bucks, finishing with 12 points and two blocks.

Murray received an MRI and imaging revealed the injury as a moderate left ankle sprain that will be reevaluated in three to four weeks, the team announced.

Oct. 26: The Brooklyn Nets' Michael Porter Jr. dunks in front of the San Antonio Spurs' Victor Wembanyama at Frost Bank Center.

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Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponents

Murray has battled a string of injuries so far throughout the season that has kept him out of nearly half the team's games. He's missed 17 out of 36 games.

So far in the 2025-26 regular season, Murray is averaging 14.6 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 1.6 blocks in 19 games played.

The fourth-year forward out of Iowa has career averages of 13.4 points and 5.6 rebounds on 44.9% field goal shooting.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Keegan Murray injury update, what we know about Kings forward's status