Trump Pressure Prompts Resignation of U.S. Attorney Over Letitia James Probe

Erik Siebert, the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, resigned Friday after President Donald Trump demanded his removal. Siebert had been overseeing a high-profile mortgage fraud investigation into New York Attorney General Letitia James. His resignation was confirmed in an internal email to staff, where he praised the Department of Justice team and expressed gratitude for their commitment to justice.

Trump publicly stated he had lost confidence in Siebert, citing concerns after learning Virginia’s two Democratic senators supported his nomination. Administration officials had already warned Siebert that the White House was considering firing him. According to sources, Siebert had expressed doubts about the strength of the evidence in the James case, as well as in a separate probe into former FBI Director James Comey, making indictments unlikely.

Appointed as interim U.S. Attorney in January, Siebert later received a court appointment and was nominated for Senate confirmation. However, his skepticism of the Trump administration’s politically sensitive cases reportedly fueled tensions. The Justice Department official Ed Martin, a Trump ally, has also been handling mortgage fraud investigations involving James, Senator Adam Schiff, and Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook. All three deny wrongdoing.

The James probe was triggered by allegations from Federal Housing Finance Agency chief Bill Pulte, who claimed James misrepresented her primary residence to secure favorable mortgage rates. Legal experts believe the case against James is weak. Meanwhile, James’ attorney has accused Martin of retaliation, pointing to his controversial public photo-op outside her Brooklyn home—a move criticized as a violation of DOJ conduct rules.

The resignation underscores Trump’s broader efforts to pressure the Justice Department and target political rivals, while legal experts continue to cast doubt on the viability of the cases.