Overview

• Erik Siebert told staff he was resigning hours after President Trump said he wanted him out, and Trump later asserted he fired Siebert and withdrew his nomination.
• Federal prosecutors in the Eastern District of Virginia reported they had not found clear, provable evidence that James knowingly committed mortgage fraud, and no charges have been filed.
• The investigation began with an April criminal referral from FHFA Director Bill Pulte, and DOJ official Ed Martin and the department’s Weaponization Working Group have been involved in overseeing the review.
• The leadership change leaves the prominent EDVA office without a confirmed head, and Siebert’s first assistant, Maya Song, is expected to leave her role as top deputy to return to line work.
• Virginia Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine defended Siebert as an ethical prosecutor, while critics warned the move signals political pressure to pursue cases against perceived adversaries.