NEW: In its most recent filing in the James Comey appeal, DOJ argues: "For all the ink they spill, the defendants and their squad of amici do not refute the simple logic showing that the Attorney General [Bondi] lawfully appointed Lindsey Halligan to the position of U.S. Attorney under the plain terms of 28 U.S.C. 546," and was fully authorized to indict Comey on criminal charges. DOJ's Reply Brief then makes the following points of fact: -- The AG may appoint a US attorney for the district in which the office of the US attorney is vacant. -- No one disputes the office was vacant. The statute contains a single express exception to the AG's appointment power--for individuals whom the Senate voted down. -- No one disputes that the Senate never rejected Halligan's nomination. The AG's appointment carries a maximum term of 120 days, but nothing in the statutory text limits the AG to only one such appointment. -- It follows then that the AG was fully empowered to appoint Halligan, even though a previous interim appointee (Erik Siebert) served.