Virginia Prosecutor Resigns After Trump Pressure Over Failed Fraud Case
A top federal prosecutor in Virginia has resigned under direct pressure from President Donald Trump after his investigation into alleged mortgage fraud involving New York Attorney General Letitia James failed to produce criminal charges.
Trump Calls for Resignation
Erik Siebert, the acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, announced his resignation on Friday, shortly after Trump told reporters: “I want him out.”
Siebert had been leading the prestigious office since January while awaiting Senate confirmation. In an email to staff, he confirmed his departure:
“This evening, I submitted my resignation as Interim U.S. Attorney for EDVA. For the last eight months, I have had the privilege of leading some of the finest DOJ employees, who dedicate themselves daily to the pursuit of justice.”
Dispute Over Fraud Allegations
The Trump administration has accused Letitia James, a Democrat and longtime adversary of the president, of falsifying records to secure favorable mortgage terms on a Virginia property. James has denied the allegations, calling them baseless and politically motivated.
James gained national attention in 2023 after winning a civil fraud case against Trump, ordering him to pay hundreds of millions in penalties.
According to The New York Times, Siebert told senior Justice Department officials that his investigation did not uncover sufficient evidence to prosecute James. The Associated Press later reported he had been given an ultimatum: resign or be fired.
Trump Criticizes Siebert, Senators
When asked about the case, Trump admitted he had not followed it closely but suggested wrongdoing by James.
“It looks to me like she’s very guilty of something, but I really don’t know,” he told reporters.
Trump also pointed to political reasons for his decision, noting that Siebert’s confirmation was supported by Virginia’s two Democratic senators, Tim Kaine and Mark Warner.
“When I saw that he got approved by these two men, I said, ‘pull it,’ because he can’t be any good,” Trump said.
In May, Kaine and Warner issued a joint statement backing Siebert, praising his career as one dedicated to public safety and justice.
Wider Political Context
The resignation comes as the Eastern District of Virginia continues other sensitive investigations, including one involving former FBI director James Comey, who was fired by Trump during his first term.
Meanwhile, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) maintains that James falsified property and bank records to obtain mortgage benefits, though no criminal charges have been filed.
Siebert’s departure underscores the growing political tension between Trump’s White House and federal prosecutors, raising fresh concerns about the independence of the Justice Department in politically charged cases.