Trump-induced pressure forces resignation of U.S. attorney amid New York AG investigation, claim sources
In a surprising turn of events, U.S. Attorney Erik Siebert has resigned from his position as interim U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. The resignation comes after pressure from Trump administration officials to bring a criminal case against New York Attorney General Letitia James.
Siebert, a former police officer with Washington, D.C.'s Metropolitan Police Department, graduated from law school in 2009 and has worked as an assistant United States attorney in the Eastern District of Virginia since 2010. He began serving as the interim U.S. attorney on Jan. 21, recommended by Virginia's Democratic senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, and nominated by Trump in May.
The forcing out of Siebert marks an escalation in what critics have called a retribution campaign, with ongoing investigations also targeting Sen. Adam Schiff and Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook. The removal of Siebert leaves one of the nation's most important U.S. attorney's offices without a leader.
The investigation into New York Attorney General Letitia James started in April, initiated by Bill Pulte, the director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, with a criminal referral alleging record falsification in James' 2023 home purchase in Virginia. However, after five months of investigation and interviewing 15 witnesses, investigators were unable to find clear evidence that James knowingly falsified records to obtain better loan terms.
Trump has repeatedly accused James of targeting him for political reasons and called her "biased and corrupt." James has denied wrongdoing, and her lawyer called Siebert's reported firing a "brazen attack on the rule of law." Abbe Lowell, James' lawyer, stated that forcing out Siebert because he refused to charge one of Trump's political rivals sends a clear and chilling message that anyone who upholds the law over politics will face the same fate.
It is unclear if Siebert will be permitted to return to his previous role as an assistant U.S. attorney. With Siebert's position vacant, it is unclear if any of its attorneys have any authority to continue regular prosecutorial activity. Siebert's deputy has already left her position and intends to continue work in the office as a line prosecutor. Siebert intends to continue working as a line prosecutor in the office after his resignation.
In a recent development, Lindsey Halligan has been appointed as the new U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. The appointment comes as a relief to many, as the office needed a leader to continue its important work. The ongoing investigations and the future of the office remain uncertain, but one thing is clear: the rule of law must prevail.
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