A top federal prosecutor has resigned from his post. Erik Siebert was the US Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. He stepped down on Friday, September 20th, 2025. The move follows direct pressure from former President Donald Trump.
Siebert reportedly faced internal pressure to prosecute two of Trump’s prominent adversaries. His resignation came just hours after Trump publicly called for his removal from office.
Pressure Mounted Over Key Investigations
According to the New York Times, Siebert informed his staff of his decision via email. He led a team of about 300 federal prosecutors. His office often handles major national security cases.
Officials told the Washington Post that Siebert recently declined to prosecute former FBI Director James Comey. The allegations involved lying to Congress. He also found insufficient evidence to charge New York Attorney General Letitia James with mortgage fraud. Both individuals are frequent targets of criticism from Trump and his allies.
Resignation Highlights Broader Political Tensions
The situation underscores ongoing tensions between political independence and the justice system. James, as New York’s state prosecutor, brought a major financial case against Trump. Comey was fired by Trump in 2017 while leading the Russia investigation.
Trump commented on the case against James from the Oval Office. He stated it looked like she was “guilty of something.” He then directly called for Siebert’s removal. Siebert, a former police officer, resigned hours later.
This resignation signals a significant moment in the ongoing scrutiny of the Justice Department’s independence. The departure of a federal prosecutor under direct political pressure raises serious questions about the rule of law.
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Who is Erik Siebert?
Erik Siebert was the US Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. He is a graduate of Virginia Military Institute and a former Washington police officer. He led a large team handling significant federal cases.
Why did he resign?
He resigned after reported pressure to prosecute Trump’s political opponents. His decision came shortly after former President Trump publicly stated he wanted him “out.” Internal disagreements over cases involving James Comey and Letitia James were a key factor.
What was he pressured to do?
Officials say he was pressured to bring charges against James Comey for allegedly lying to Congress. He was also pushed to prosecute New York AG Letitia James for alleged mortgage fraud. Siebert found insufficient evidence for both potential cases.
How did Trump respond?
Trump commented on the allegations against Letitia James from the Oval Office. He said it looked like she was “guilty of something.” He then explicitly told reporters he wanted Siebert removed from his position.
Trusted Sources
Information for this report was gathered from The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Associated Press news wires.
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