U.S. Attorney Erik Siebert Resigns Amid Trump Pressure
URGENT UPDATE: U.S. Attorney Erik Siebert has announced his resignation from the Alexandria, Virginia office, following intense pressure from President Donald Trump, who stated he wants Siebert “out.” The announcement, made on September 15, 2023, raises serious questions about the future of this critical U.S. attorney’s office.
Sources reveal that Trump’s dissatisfaction stems from Siebert’s refusal to pursue charges against New York Attorney General Letitia James, despite investigators finding no incriminating evidence of mortgage fraud after a five-month investigation. Trump had pressured Siebert to act against James, whom he has repeatedly accused of politically motivated actions against him.
In a statement to reporters, Trump expressed his disdain: “When I saw that he got approved by those two men,” referring to Virginia’s Democratic Senators, “I said, pull it, because he can’t be any good.” Siebert, who has served as interim U.S. attorney since his appointment in May 2023, faced mounting political pressure as he navigated this high-stakes environment.
“Firing people until he finds someone who will bend the law to carry out his revenge has been the President’s pattern — and it’s illegal,” stated Siebert’s attorney, Abbe Lowell, highlighting the political ramifications of Siebert’s ousting.
This drastic move appears to be part of a broader strategy by Trump, who has faced multiple investigations and legal challenges, including those targeting Senator Adam Schiff and Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook. As a result, Siebert’s exit leaves a significant power vacuum in one of the nation’s important U.S. attorney offices, with no clear successor after his deputy has also departed.
Siebert’s office was tasked with investigating allegations against James, which originated from a criminal referral by Bill Pulte, director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, in April. Following interviews with 15 witnesses, investigators concluded there was insufficient evidence against James, raising concerns about the motivations behind Trump’s pressure on Siebert.
The implications of Siebert’s resignation extend beyond individual politics. Critics argue that this action exemplifies a dangerous trend of retaliatory justice against political opponents, undermining the integrity of the legal system. James, who previously successfully sued Trump for civil fraud, condemned the firing as a blatant attack on the rule of law.
Trump’s ongoing battle with James has been charged with accusations of election interference, as he claimed she was pursuing him before she even knew him. The fallout from Siebert’s resignation could signal a shift in how federal prosecutors operate under political pressure, raising alarms about the independence of the judicial system.
As the situation develops, observers are closely monitoring who will step into the leadership vacuum left by Siebert and how this could impact ongoing cases, including those involving Trump and his political allies. The urgency of this story is palpable, with significant implications for U.S. legal and political landscapes.
