Trump Ousts US Attorney Erik Siebert Amid Pressure to Charge NY AG Letitia James

U.S. Attorney Erik Siebert for the Eastern District of Virginia has been forced out of his position, reportedly amid intense pressure from Trump administration officials to pursue a criminal case against New York Attorney General Letitia James, despite investigators failing to find clear evidence of wrongdoing.

Siebert informed his staff of his resignation on Friday, September 19th, though President Trump publicly claimed he “fired him!” and withdrew his nomination in an early Saturday morning social media post. Sources indicate Siebert was notified of the president’s intention to terminate his tenure on Thursday, September 18th, with Trump expressing a desire for Siebert “out” of the position due to his support from Virginia’s Democratic senators.

The controversy stems from an investigation into allegations of mortgage fraud against NY AG Letitia James. After five months of inquiry and interviewing 15 witnesses, investigators found no clear evidence that James knowingly falsified records. Trump, however, publicly stated, “It looks to me like she is very guilty of something, but I really don’t know,” while pushing for charges.

In a swift development, Maggie Cleary, an official who recently joined the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, has been named the acting head of the EDVA. Cleary, who previously wrote an article titled “I was framed over January 6. Now I plan to end politically weaponized investigations,” will assume leadership of the office, which is now without a clear hierarchy following Siebert’s deputy also leaving her position.

Abbe Lowell, attorney for Letitia James, condemned Siebert’s removal as a “brazen attack on the rule of law,” stating, “Firing people until he finds someone who will bend the law to carry out his revenge has been the President’s pattern — and it’s illegal.” This incident marks an escalation in what critics describe as a retribution campaign targeting Trump’s political rivals.

Siebert, who was nominated by Trump in May and served as interim U.S. attorney since the President’s inauguration, intends to continue working as a line prosecutor in the office, though it remains unclear if he will be permitted to return to that role.

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