President Trump to Dismiss U.S. Attorney Over Letitia James Investigation

President Donald Trump is expected to dismiss U.S. Attorney Erik Siebert of the Eastern District of Virginia after his office found no evidence to charge New York Attorney General Letitia James with mortgage fraud. Federal prosecutors in Virginia investigated James's 2023 home purchase but uncovered no clear evidence of wrongdoing. Despite this, administration officials urged Siebert to proceed with charges. Siebert has been informed of the president's intention to remove him, with his last day anticipated to be Friday. This decision may disrupt one of the nation's prominent U.S. attorney's offices, responsible for numerous espionage and terrorism cases, and raises concerns about the potential politicization of the Department of Justice. Trump nominated Siebert in May, and sources indicate plans to appoint a successor who will more aggressively pursue the investigation into James. Critics view this move as part of a broader pattern of retribution, with ongoing investigations also targeting Senator Adam Schiff and Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook. Trump has previously accused James, who led a civil fraud case against him, of political bias, referring to her as "biased and corrupt." The investigation into James began after Bill Pulte, director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, referred the matter to the DOJ, alleging mortgage fraud related to her 2023 home purchase. However, investigators determined that a document in question—a limited power of attorney form used by James's niece—was not considered by loan officers during the mortgage approval process. Siebert, a former Washington, D.C., police officer and assistant U.S. attorney since 2010, has held various leadership roles within the Eastern District of Virginia. He began serving as interim U.S. attorney in January and was nominated by Trump in May, following recommendations from Virginia's Democratic senators, Mark Warner and Tim Kaine. The Eastern District of Virginia, serving over six million people with a staff of 300 prosecutors, is known for handling significant terrorism and intelligence-related cases due to its proximity to Washington, D.C.