New Federal Prosecutor Named in Virginia After Siebert's Resignation Over Letitia James Case Amid Political Pressure
US Attorney Erik Siebert resigned from Virginia's Eastern District after declining to charge Letitia James, facing Trump pressure. Mary 'Maggie' Cleary now leads the office.
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Overview
- US Attorney Erik Siebert resigned from the Eastern District of Virginia after facing significant pressure from Trump administration officials to bring charges against New York AG Letitia James.
- Siebert declined to pursue criminal charges against James due to insufficient evidence, a decision that led to Trump faulting him and the subsequent pressure for his resignation.
- Mary 'Maggie' Cleary, a conservative lawyer, has been appointed as the acting U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, replacing Siebert in the office probing Letitia James.
- Cleary, recently a senior counsel at the Justice Department, was wrongly identified in a photo from the Capitol grounds during the Jan. 6 riot, as reported by news outlets.
- Letitia James's lawyers vehemently deny allegations, calling the investigation politically motivated, which highlights concerns about political influence on Justice Department prosecutors given her lawsuits against Trump.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame Siebert's departure as a politically motivated ousting by Trump, linking it to his broader pattern of leveraging the Justice Department against perceived rivals. They emphasize Siebert's reported lack of evidence against Letitia James and highlight Democratic senators' criticisms of Trump's "vendettas," portraying Siebert as an ethical prosecutor pressured to resign.
"Trump has attempted to purge the Justice Department of officials viewed as disloyal, as he leverages U.S. government agencies to target political rivals."
USA TODAY"Cleary will take over an office in tumult over political pressure by administration officials to criminally charge James, a longtime foe of President Donald Trump."
Chicago Tribune"Cleary will take over an office in tumult over political pressure by administration officials to criminally charge James, a longtime foe of President Donald Trump."
Associated Press"The news came after multiple sources told CBS News earlier in the day that federal prosecutors for the district were concerned that Siebert could be removed for failing to prosecute New York Attorney General Letitia James for mortgage fraud."
CBS News"Siebert reportedly expressed doubts about the strength of the case."
BBC News"The federal prosecutor in charge of pursuing mortgage fraud allegations against New York Attorney General Letitia James resigned Friday after President Donald Trump said he no longer wanted him to serve in the position."
NBC News"Siebert's removal leaves one of the nation's most important U.S. attorney's offices without a leader, according to sources, as Siebert's deputy has already left her position and intends to continue work in the office as a line prosecutor."
ABC News"The administration’s effort to oust him from the job represents a further erosion of norms meant to insulate the Justice Department from White House influence on prosecutorial decisions."
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FAQ
Mary 'Maggie' Cleary is a conservative lawyer appointed as acting U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. She has experience as a deputy commonwealth’s attorney in Culpeper County, served as an assistant U.S. attorney for the Western District of Virginia focusing on gun and drug cases, worked as deputy secretary of public safety for Virginia, and was special counsel for Attorney General Jason Miyares.
Erik Siebert resigned after facing significant pressure from Trump administration officials to bring criminal charges against New York Attorney General Letitia James, which he declined to pursue due to insufficient evidence.
The office was involved in investigating allegations of mortgage fraud concerning paperwork discrepancies on Brooklyn and Virginia homes owned by New York Attorney General Letitia James, but no charges had been filed due to lack of incriminating evidence.
Cleary was falsely accused of being at the U.S. Capitol during the January 6, 2021 riot, an allegation she has denied and clarified that she was not present there.
Letitia James's lawyers have strongly denied all allegations and described the investigation as politically motivated and a retaliatory act against James due to her lawsuits against former President Trump.
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