Particle.news
Download on the App Store
115 ARTICLES
·
21m ago

Trump Claims He Fired Virginia U.S. Attorney Over Letitia James Probe

The departure follows career prosecutors reporting insufficient evidence to charge Letitia James, raising alarms about political pressure on the Justice Department.

Erik Siebert, then the interim US Attorney for the eastern district of Virginia, speaks during a news conference in Manassas, Virginia, on March 27, 2025. Alongside him are Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin and Attorney General Pam Bondi.
Image
FILE - New York Attorney General Letitia James speaks during a news conference outside Manhattan federal court in New York, Feb. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura, File)
FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump looks on as U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi speaks during a press conference about deploying federal law enforcement agents in Washington to bolster the local police presence, in the Press Briefing Room at the White House, in Washington D.C., U.S., August 11, 2025. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/File Photo

Overview

  • Erik Siebert left his role as U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia after White House pressure, with Trump asserting he fired him and withdrew his nomination, while earlier reports said Siebert resigned.
  • Justice Department prosecutors in Virginia concluded they had not gathered enough evidence to indict New York Attorney General Letitia James on mortgage fraud allegations.
  • The inquiry began with an April referral from FHFA Director William Pulte alleging James falsified mortgage and property records; James and her attorney Abbe Lowell deny wrongdoing and call the probe retaliatory.
  • DOJ official Ed Martin helped coordinate the case and drew criticism for unorthodox steps, including urging James to resign and appearing outside her Brooklyn home, actions defense lawyers said violated department norms.
  • Trump cited support for Siebert from Virginia Democratic senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner as a reason to oppose him, and Siebert’s top deputy, Maya Song, is expected to move to a line prosecutor role as leadership changes unfold.