Executive Summary
- President Trump intends to fire US Attorney Erik Siebert of the Eastern District of Virginia, according to sources familiar with the matter.
- The decision reportedly follows Siebert’s refusal to pursue mortgage fraud charges against New York Attorney General Letitia James, a prominent political adversary of Trump.
- The move comes after weeks of increasing political pressure on Siebert’s office, raising questions about the independence of federal prosecutors.
The Story So Far
- The intent to fire US Attorney Erik Siebert stems from his office’s refusal to pursue mortgage fraud charges against New York Attorney General Letitia James, a prominent political adversary of President Trump who previously won a business fraud case against him and his company. This move follows weeks of political pressure from the Trump administration, even as Justice Department prosecutors in Virginia believed there was insufficient evidence for an indictment, highlighting the ongoing friction between Trump and James and raising questions about the independence of federal prosecutors.
Why This Matters
- President Trump’s intent to fire US Attorney Erik Siebert for refusing to pursue charges against political adversary Letitia James raises significant concerns about the independence of federal prosecutors, suggesting a potential politicization of the Justice Department and sending a chilling message to other US Attorneys regarding cases involving figures opposed by the administration.
Who Thinks What?
- President Donald Trump intends to fire US Attorney Erik Siebert for his refusal to pursue mortgage fraud charges against New York Attorney General Letitia James, a prominent political adversary.
- US Attorney Erik Siebert and Justice Department prosecutors believed there was insufficient evidence to indict New York Attorney General Letitia James, indicating a commitment to following legal standards despite political pressure.
President Donald Trump intends to fire US Attorney Erik Siebert of the Eastern District of Virginia, according to two sources familiar with the matter who spoke to CNN. The move reportedly follows Siebert’s refusal to pursue mortgage fraud charges against New York Attorney General Letitia James, a prominent political adversary of Trump who previously won a business fraud case against him and his company. It remains unclear if Siebert has been formally notified of the decision.
Pressure and Prosecutorial Discretion
The decision to remove Siebert comes after weeks of increasing political pressure from the administration regarding the potential charges against James. CNN had previously reported that Justice Department prosecutors in Virginia believed there was insufficient evidence to indict James. A source briefed on the internal discussions indicated that Siebert and his office had been anticipating this possibility.
One individual close to the situation noted Siebert’s dilemma, stating, “He wanted to be a team player, but also follow the law.” This sentiment highlights the tension between political expectations and adherence to legal standards. Siebert’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment, and the Justice Department declined to comment on the matter.
Siebert’s Professional Trajectory
Siebert was nominated to his current position by Trump in May, having served as interim US attorney since January. Like many other US attorneys appointed during the Trump administration, he received a court extension to serve indefinitely while awaiting Senate confirmation. As the US attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Siebert oversees a substantial staff of approximately 300 individuals across four divisions: Alexandria, Richmond, Norfolk, and Newport News.
His career in the Eastern District of Virginia began in 2010 as an assistant US attorney. During his tenure as a prosecutor, Siebert handled a diverse range of cases, including violent crime, public corruption, and illegal immigration. He also held leadership roles such as the lead task force attorney for the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force and the deputy criminal supervisor for the Richmond Division, earning multiple awards over nearly 15 years.
Before his time as a prosecutor, Siebert served as a police officer with the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, D.C. He is an alumnus of the Virginia Military Institute and earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Richmond Law School.
The Broader Context
This development underscores the ongoing friction between President Trump and New York Attorney General Letitia James. James’s successful business fraud case against Trump and his company has made her a frequent target of the president’s ire, with multiple sources reporting his private and angry complaints about her dating back months into his term. The intent to remove Siebert appears to be a direct consequence of his office’s failure to pursue charges against a figure Trump views as a political adversary, raising questions about the independence of federal prosecutors.
