Overview

• Erik Siebert confirmed his departure in an email to staff on Friday, while Trump later asserted on Truth Social, “He didn’t quit, I fired him!”
• Justice Department lawyers in the Eastern District of Virginia had told officials they lacked enough evidence to charge James over alleged mortgage misrepresentations.
• The inquiry began with an April referral from FHFA Director William Pulte and is part of a broader set of mortgage-fraud accusations also directed at Adam Schiff and Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook.
• DOJ official Ed Martin, who helps run a Weaponization Working Group, has coordinated aspects of the probe and drew criticism for urging James to resign and for unusual public conduct.
• Virginia Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner called Siebert’s ouster political retribution, and questions remain over who will lead the EDVA after Siebert and his top deputy stepped back.