In a dramatic turn of events in Washington, U.S. Attorney Erik Siebert has resigned from his position in the Eastern District of Virginia following pressure from the Trump administration to pursue criminal charges against New York Attorney General Letitia James.

Siebert, who had served as interim U.S. attorney since January, informed staff in an email on Friday of his decision to step down, citing his pride in leading “the finest and most exceptional” Department of Justice employees. Sources indicate that Siebert was pushed to charge James despite investigators failing to find evidence of wrongdoing in her 2023 home purchase.

President Trump reacted on social media, claiming, “He didn’t quit, I fired him!” and later characterized Siebert as unfit for the position due to support from Virginia’s Democratic senators, Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, who had recommended his nomination.

Taking over temporarily, Maggie Cleary, a recent addition to the DOJ’s Criminal Division, was named acting head of the office. Cleary, who has previously written about her own experience being targeted politically in a January 6 investigation, sent a message to staff pledging to continue the office’s work while acknowledging Siebert’s years of service.

The resignation leaves one of the nation’s key U.S. attorney offices without a permanent leader. Siebert’s deputy has also left the position, raising questions about the office’s ability to continue prosecutorial activity in the interim.

The investigation into Attorney General James began earlier this year when the Federal Housing Finance Agency flagged potential issues with her home purchase. Following five months of review and 15 witness interviews, prosecutors were unable to find sufficient evidence to bring charges. James has denied any wrongdoing, calling Siebert’s ouster a “brazen attack on the rule of law.” Her attorney described the firing as part of a pattern of retribution by the president against officials unwilling to politicize the law.

This development marks a further escalation in ongoing investigations where critics accuse President Trump of targeting political rivals, including Sen. Adam Schiff and Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook. The Trump administration has repeatedly alleged that Attorney General James acted against him for political reasons, particularly following her civil fraud case that found Trump and his family misrepresented property values to secure favorable loans.

Siebert, a former Washington, D.C., police officer, has worked as an assistant U.S. attorney in the Eastern District of Virginia since 2010. Over his career, he has handled violent crimes, firearms cases, and led the office’s organized drug crime task force, supervising the Richmond division from 2019 to 2024.

Despite stepping down, Siebert reportedly intends to remain as a line prosecutor, although it is unclear whether he will be permitted to return to that role. Meanwhile, questions remain about who will lead one of the country’s most critical U.S. attorney offices as the Justice Department navigates this politically charged transition.

Reporting by Katy Moore.