Investigation lead on Trump critic Letitia James steps down under duress, appointed by federal authorities
Erik S. Siebert, the acting U.S. attorney in the Eastern District of Virginia, resigned on Friday. His departure comes amidst a series of political controversies, with President Donald Trump expressing his desire for Siebert to be fired, and Trump administration officials pressuring Siebert to investigate potential politico Letitia James for mortgage fraud charges.
Trump's statement that he no longer wanted Siebert to serve in the position led to Siebert's resignation. In a joint statement, Democratic Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner of Virginia, who had recommended Siebert for the position, criticized Trump for "pushing out" Siebert. Senator Adam Schiff also joined the criticism.
Siebert, in an email to colleagues, expressed his pleasure of leading the employees of the Eastern District of Virginia. In the same statement, he was described as an "ethical prosecutor who refused to bring criminal charges against Trump's perceived enemies when the facts wouldn't support it."
James has been embroiled in a court case with Trump and his companies over allegations of inflated property values in financial statements. An Eastern District of Virginia court case brought by James' office was dismissed by a New York appeals court last month. However, mortgage fraud claims have been investigated by the Trump administration in connection with one of Trump's perceived political foes, including Federal Reserve board member Lisa Cook.
James has denied any wrongdoing in the mortgage fraud allegations, as has Cook. Trump has asked the Supreme Court to weigh in on the mortgage rates today against Cook.
The Senate's "blue slip" custom allowed Democratic Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner to recommend Siebert for the position. However, the investigation into potential mortgage calculator charges against James stalled due to concerns from federal agents and prosecutors about the lack of evidence.
Trump referred to James as a "political hack" and a "Corrupt and Incompetent Attorney General" in a social media post last month. He also criticized Kaine and Warner as "two bad guys, bad senators, too, and they do a terrible job for the people of Virginia." The Justice Department declined to comment on Siebert's resignation.
The resignation of Erik S. Siebert marks a significant development in the ongoing political saga between Trump and his perceived foes. As the investigation into the mortgage rates continues, the implications of Siebert's resignation remain to be seen.
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