Laura McNally
ON THE RECORD · 15 verbatim quotes · every quote source-verified
“… At that time, I had other pressing matters — as your office was well aware.”
Laura McNally · said 2026-07-09 · reported 2026-07-09
McNally told Boutros she had other pressing matters that day and his office was well aware of that.
“I would appreciate if you’d come up.”
Laura McNally · said 2026-07-09 · reported 2026-07-09
McNally summoned U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros to the front of the courtroom at the start of the hearing.
“until the time of arrest of all defendants in this case or further order of the court.”
Laura McNally · said 2026-06-29 · reported 2026-07-09
McNally ordered the criminal complaint and other documents sealed until all defendants were arrested.
“was not honored by the Department of Justice,”
Laura McNally · said 2026-07-09 · reported 2026-07-09
McNally said her sealing order was not honored by the DOJ but rejected blaming rank-and-file prosecutors.
“facilitate the enforcement of criminal law.”
Laura McNally · said 2026-06-29 · reported 2026-07-09
McNally's order allowed disclosure of the complaint to facilitate the enforcement of criminal law.
“is that your statement acknowledges that you were aware, when you went up there, that there was a sealing order in place.”
Laura McNally · said 2026-07-09 · reported 2026-07-09
McNally told Boutros that his own statement acknowledged he was aware of the sealing order when he went to Washington.
“does not prohibit law enforcement personnel from disclosing the complaint, affidavit, and arrest warrants as necessary to facilitate the enforcement of criminal law.”
Laura McNally · said 2026-06-29 · reported 2026-07-09
McNally's sealing order allowed law enforcement to disclose the complaint as necessary to facilitate enforcement of criminal law.
“I would not have signed an order that permitted the full discretion of the entire law enforcement community to decide that, at this point, we think what we’re doing here should not be sealed,”
Laura McNally · said 2026-07-09 · reported 2026-07-09
McNally rejected Boutros's argument that the press conference served to deter future crimes under her order.
“I was given 15 minutes to consider the motion,”
Laura McNally · said 2026-07-09 · reported 2026-07-09
McNally told Boutros she was given only 15 minutes to consider the motion to unseal.
“I would not have granted that motion.”
Laura McNally · said 2026-07-09 · reported 2026-07-09
McNally said she would not have granted a motion permitting law enforcement to decide whether the case should remain sealed.
“was hearings involving the Department of Justice.”
Laura McNally · said 2026-07-09 · reported 2026-07-09
McNally said her schedule that day consisted entirely of hearings involving the Department of Justice.
“that’s more than we allow on our docket here, that statement.”
Laura McNally · said 2026-07-09 · reported 2026-07-09
McNally told Boutros that Blanche's press conference statement exceeded what is allowed on the court docket.
“What I do know,”
Laura McNally · said 2026-07-09 · reported 2026-07-09
McNally told Boutros she was addressing what she knew about his awareness of the sealing order.
“I also find and conclude — thank God — no concrete harm came as a result,”
Laura McNally · said 2026-07-09 · reported 2026-07-09
McNally concluded that no concrete harm resulted from the violation of her sealing order.
“photos were lifted from this under-seal complaint and put up on a screen.”
Laura McNally · said 2026-07-09 · reported 2026-07-09
McNally noted that photos from the under-seal complaint were displayed at the press conference.