U.S. Attorney Resigns After Pressure to Indict New York Attorney General Letitia James

Published: October 10, 2025, 21:55 EDT

Federal Prosecutor Exits Post Amid Political Pressure

A senior U.S. prosecutor in Virginia has resigned after months of pressure from the Trump administration to bring criminal charges against New York Attorney General Letitia James over alleged mortgage fraud—an investigation that has so far yielded no evidence or indictments, according to officials familiar with the matter.

Erik Siebert, who led the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia, announced his resignation in an internal email to staff reviewed by the Associated Press. He praised his colleagues as “the finest and most exceptional” Justice Department employees but made no mention of the political dispute that preceded his departure.

Resignation Follows White House Push to Prosecute James

Siebert’s resignation comes amid intensifying pressure from Trump administration officials to indict James, a long-time political adversary of former President Donald Trump. Trump publicly stated during a press briefing that he wanted Siebert “out,” according to AP News. Several people familiar with the discussions said Siebert informed colleagues soon afterward of his decision to leave.

The move marks another instance of political friction between the White House and the Justice Department, raising renewed concerns about executive interference in prosecutorial decisions. Legal analysts say the episode underscores how political influence can threaten long-standing norms that safeguard prosecutorial independence.

Justice Department Declines to Comment

A Justice Department spokesperson declined to comment on Siebert’s resignation or the ongoing mortgage fraud inquiry into James.

Officials said Siebert’s top deputy, Maya Song, is also stepping down from her role as first assistant U.S. attorney and will return to work as a line prosecutor. It was not immediately clear who would replace Siebert as the head of the office, which is known for handling high-profile national security and corruption cases.

Contested Mortgage Fraud Allegations Against Letitia James

The investigation centers on alleged discrepancies in mortgage paperwork tied to James’s Brooklyn townhouse and a Virginia property. The Trump administration’s Justice Department has reportedly spent months probing the matter but has yet to uncover evidence that would justify criminal charges.

Speaking to reporters, Trump claimed, without citing evidence, that “it looks to me like she’s really guilty of something,” but added, “I really don’t know.”

James’s legal team has denied all wrongdoing, describing the investigation as “politically motivated retribution.” Attorney Abbe Lowell, representing James, said in a letter to investigators that the allegations were “easily disproved” by available documentation and email correspondence.

DOJ’s Weaponization Working Group Draws Scrutiny

The inquiry has taken unusual turns. Ed Martin, who leads the Justice Department’s so-called Weaponization Working Group overseeing the investigation, reportedly sent James a letter urging her to resign from office “as an act of good faith.”

Soon after, Martin was seen outside James’s Brooklyn townhouse, wearing what witnesses described as a “Columbo-style trench coat.” When approached by a reporter, he allegedly said he was “just looking at houses,” according to The New York Post.

Lowell criticized Martin’s actions, writing that his behavior violated ethical standards and appeared to use investigative authority for political purposes. “The Justice Department has firm policies against using investigations and prosecutorial power for achieving political ends,” Lowell wrote.

A Veteran Prosecutor Under Political Fire

Before his resignation, Siebert had spent more than a decade in the Eastern District of Virginia, an elite Justice Department office known for complex criminal cases. A former Washington, D.C., police officer, Siebert joined the department in 2010 and was nominated to his top position earlier this year by Trump—with bipartisan support from Virginia Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine.

His office had previously been involved in cases related to the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election, an issue that has remained a point of contention between Trump and the Justice Department.

Although U.S. attorneys are presidential appointees, they are seldom removed mid-term. Legal experts note that Siebert’s forced resignation reflects a broader erosion of the institutional norms meant to protect federal prosecutors from political pressure.

Broader Concerns About Justice Department Independence

The incident adds to a pattern of tension between the White House and the Justice Department. In recent years, multiple federal prosecutors—some involved in politically sensitive cases—have been dismissed or reassigned. Among them was Maurene Comey, a New York federal prosecutor and daughter of former FBI Director James Comey, who was fired by Trump in 2017 during the Russia probe.

The controversy surrounding Siebert’s departure has deepened concerns that the Justice Department’s authority could be “weaponized” against political opponents.

“Using prosecutorial discretion as a tool of retribution undermines democracy and erodes public trust,” said a former federal prosecutor who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.

Origins of the Mortgage Fraud Probe

The mortgage allegations against James stem from a letter sent earlier this year by Federal Housing Finance Agency Director William Pulte to Attorney General Pam Bondi. In the letter, Pulte urged prosecutors to investigate whether James had falsified property documents related to a Virginia home.

Pulte cited unspecified “media reports” claiming that James had listed the property as her primary residence to obtain more favorable loan terms. Records, however, show that James’s niece was the primary buyer, and James was merely a co-borrower on the loan.

Lowell said the claims were “factually inaccurate,” explaining that a power-of-attorney document contained a clerical error misidentifying the property as James’s primary residence. He said an email from James to her loan officer at the time clearly stated the property “WILL NOT be my primary residence.”

Political and Legal Repercussions

Letitia James, a Democrat, has been a recurring target of Trump’s criticism since she successfully sued him and his business empire for fraud. That case led to a massive financial penalty last year, later reduced on appeal.

Analysts say the new federal investigation has the potential to deepen partisan divisions and test the boundaries of prosecutorial independence as the U.S. enters another election cycle.

“This situation illustrates how fragile the line can be between legal oversight and political weaponization,” said a Georgetown University law professor. “When that line is crossed, it damages not only the individuals involved but the institution itself.”