U.S. attorney resigns under Trump administration pressure

In a startling turn of events, Erik Siebert, the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, resigned on Friday amid intense pressure from the Trump administration over an investigation into New York Attorney General Letitia James.

Newsmax reported that this development follows months of tension as the administration pushed for an indictment of James on mortgage fraud allegations, raising alarms about the potential politicization of the Justice Department.

Siebert, who was nominated to his position by President Donald Trump earlier this year, has served in the Eastern District of Virginia office since 2010. This elite prosecution office is known for handling complex national security and criminal cases. His tenure included oversight of a long-running probe into possible ties between Russia and Trump’s 2016 campaign, though no charges have been announced in that matter.

Unexpected Departure Shocks Justice Department Insiders

Siebert’s resignation came after months of scrutiny over an investigation into Letitia James, New York’s Attorney General, concerning alleged discrepancies in paperwork related to her Brooklyn townhouse and a Virginia property. Despite extensive efforts by the Justice Department, no incriminating evidence has emerged to support criminal charges against James.

The Trump administration, viewing James as a political adversary, has been vocal about wanting an indictment. James previously sued Trump for fraud, a case that resulted in a significant financial penalty last year, although an appeals court recently overturned the penalty while affirming findings of fraud by Trump for inflating his wealth over decades.

Siebert confirmed his exit in an email to colleagues, reviewed by The Associated Press, where he praised them as the “finest and most exceptional” of Justice Department employees. Multiple sources familiar with the situation also told the AP that Siebert had informed his team of his intent to step down.

White House Influence Raises Ethical Concerns

President Trump, speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on Friday, made his stance clear, stating, “I wanted Siebert ‘out.’” He later added, when asked about the matter at the White House, “It looks to me like she’s really guilty of something, but I really don’t know.”

The push to remove Siebert is seen by many as a troubling sign of eroding norms that typically shield the Justice Department from White House interference in prosecutorial decisions. Concerns are mounting that the department is being used as a tool for political retribution against perceived enemies of the administration.

Adding to the upheaval, Siebert’s top deputy, Maya Song, is also stepping down from her role as first assistant U.S. attorney to take a position as a line prosecutor, according to a person familiar with the matter. It remains unclear who will replace Siebert in the Eastern District of Virginia office as of Friday afternoon.

Investigation into James Sparks Controversy

The investigation into James, coordinated in part by Ed Martin of the Justice Department’s Weaponization Working Group, stems from allegations raised in April by Federal Housing Finance Agency Director William Pulte. Pulte requested an inquiry into claims that James falsified bank documents by listing a Virginia home as her primary residence, possibly to secure lower interest rates. Records indicate James was a co-borrower on a property her niece purchased in 2023, and a power-of-attorney form erroneously listed the Virginia home as her main residence.

James’ legal team, led by Abbe Lowell, has denied the allegations, asserting in a letter to Martin that the Justice Department “has firm policies against using investigations and against using prosecutorial power for achieving political ends.” Lowell further emphasized, “This is ever more the case when that demand is made to seek political revenge against a public official in the opposite party.”

Regarding the property records, Lowell clarified in the same letter that the form “mistakenly stated the property to be Ms. James’ principal residence.” He noted that James sent an email to her mortgage loan broker around the same time, stating the property “WILL NOT be my primary residence.”

Unusual Tactics Draw Public Attention

Ed Martin, who has been actively involved in the probe, was spotted last month outside James’ Brooklyn townhouse wearing a trench coat. He reportedly told a neighbor, “I’m just looking at houses, interesting houses. It’s an important house.”

Martin also sent a letter to James last month, urging her to resign “as an act of good faith” following the initiation of the mortgage fraud investigation. This move has fueled further speculation about the political motivations behind the inquiry.

The Trump administration’s actions, including the dismissal of prosecutors from Jack Smith’s special counsel team and Maurene Comey, a New York prosecutor whose father, former FBI Director James Comey, was fired by Trump, underscore a pattern of disregarding norms protecting Justice Department independence. U.S. attorneys, who are presidential appointees, are rarely removed, making Siebert’s resignation under pressure particularly noteworthy. As this situation unfolds, the balance between political influence and judicial autonomy remains a critical issue for the nation’s legal system.