Erik Siebert, the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, resigned on Friday after the White House reportedly gave him the option to step down or be fired, according to Fox News. Siebert’s perceived reluctance to bring charges against New York Attorney General Letitia James, a top political adversary of President Trump, was the main reason for his ouster, multiple sources said. Siebert, who had worked in the Eastern District since 2010 and was on track to be confirmed by the Senate, faced mounting pressure from the Trump administration to pursue a mortgage fraud case against James.
The NY AG’s office has hired an attorney who previously represented Hunter Biden to defend Letitia James against the mortgage fraud accusations. A housing and finance banker familiar with the investigation told Fox News that the mortgage fraud case against James is viable, citing her alleged misrepresentation of her investment property as a primary or secondary residence, which could grant her better loan terms. The Eastern District of Virginia, known for its high-profile investigations, including the successful prosecution of Zacarias Moussaoui for his role in the 9/11 attacks, is now at the center of this politically charged legal battle.
ABC News first reported on the Trump administration’s plans to force Siebert out of his job. Trump later claimed to reporters that he had withdrawn Siebert’s nomination, attributing it to the support Siebert received from Virginia’s two Democratic senators, Tim Kaine and Mark Warner, who approved his nomination through the Senate’s blue-slip tradition. Trump expressed frustration over Siebert’s confirmation, stating that he wanted Siebert out of the position. The U.S. Pardon Attorney, Ed Martin, was given authority by Attorney General Pam Bondi to lead the investigation of James, though Martin’s past nomination to the U.S. attorney position in Washington, D.C., was withdrawn due to concerns over his experience and controversies.
James’ attorney, Abbe Lowell, wrote in a letter to Martin that he did not believe Martin was conducting a serious investigation into the mortgage fraud allegations, stating that Martin would take actions to satisfy Trump and Bondi’s demands regardless of the lack of evidence. The White House, DOJ, and Siebert declined to comment on the situation, with Fox News reaching out to James’ attorney for comment. This resignation highlights the ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and the legal system, with potential ramifications for the integrity of the justice process in the United States.