US prosecutor resigns after Trump says 'I want him out'

September 20, 2025

Erik Siebert, the acting attorney for Virginia's Eastern District, has resigned following pressure from President Donald Trump after failing to bring criminal charges against New York Attorney General Letitia James for alleged mortgage fraud. The Trump administration had accused James, who previously won a civil fraud case against Trump, of falsifying records to secure better mortgage deals. Siebert reportedly informed senior justice department officials that investigations had not yielded sufficient evidence to prosecute James.

Who is affected

Erik Siebert (former acting attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia)
New York Attorney General Letitia James
Staff of the Eastern District of Virginia office
President Donald Trump
Virginia Democratic Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner
Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) officials
James Comey (former FBI director whose case is also being investigated by the Eastern District office)

What action is being taken

Siebert is resigning from his position as Interim US Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia
The Trump administration is pursuing allegations against New York Attorney General Letitia James regarding mortgage fraud
The Eastern District office is investigating James Comey
President Trump is publicly pressuring for Siebert's removal

Why it matters

The situation represents apparent political interference in a federal prosecutor's office, with a president demanding the removal of a prosecutor who didn't pursue charges against a political adversary. The case involves high-profile figures including Trump and James, who previously won a civil fraud suit against Trump in 2023, suggesting potential retaliation. This resignation affects the leadership of the prestigious Eastern District of Virginia office, which is handling multiple significant investigations, including one into former FBI director James Comey.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC