US Prosecutor Dismissed Amid Pressure to Target Trump’s Foes

US President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that he had fired a federal prosecutor reportedly under pressure regarding investigations into two of his political adversaries.

Resignation and Dismissal

• Erik Siebert, US Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, informed staff of his resignation via email on Friday, according to the New York Times and other US media outlets.
• Trump, however, stated on his Truth Social platform: “He didn’t quit, I fired him!”
• Earlier in the Oval Office, Trump told reporters: “I want him out.”

Some officials within the administration had advocated for Siebert to remain in his position, the Times reported.

Siebert had reportedly been under pressure to prosecute two of Trump’s political foes:

1. James Comey, former FBI director fired by Trump in 2017.
2. Letitia James, New York Attorney General.

Officials familiar with the matter told the Washington Post that Siebert had informed the Justice Department leadership he was declining to prosecute Comey over allegations of lying to Congress, and that there was insufficient evidence to charge James with mortgage fraud.

Background on the Political Figures

Trump ally Bill Pulte, director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, has accused James and other Democratic officials of falsifying documents on mortgage applications. Asked about James’ case on Friday, Trump stated: “It looks to me like she’s really guilty of something, but I really don’t know.”

About Erik Siebert

• Education: Virginia Military Institute
• Career: Former Washington police officer
• Role: Led a team of approximately 300 prosecutors in a jurisdiction often handling major national security cases