New York Attorney General Letitia James, who has been a central figure in high-profile legal battles against President Donald Trump, is once again at the center of a political storm — this time linked to the abrupt resignation of Erik Siebert, the acting U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia.
Siebert announced his resignation on Friday, Sept. 19, 2025, in an email to staff, praising Department of Justice employees as “the finest and most exceptional” and thanking them for their service.
His departure came after mounting speculation that he could be removed for refusing to bring federal mortgage fraud charges against James, who has repeatedly denied allegations raised by Trump allies.
The controversy erupted after reports surfaced that some within the Justice Department feared Siebert’s position was at risk because he did not pursue an April referral from a Trump ally urging federal charges against James.
That referral, along with a letter from William Pulte of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, alleged that James falsified bank documents and property records to obtain favorable loan terms.
James dismissed the accusations outright, telling NY1 at the time: “The allegations are baseless. The allegations are nothing more than a revenge tour.”
On Friday, Trump fueled the speculation when asked about Siebert’s status, stating bluntly, “Yeah, I want him out.”
He also criticized Siebert’s bipartisan Senate support from Virginia Democrats Tim Kaine and Mark Warner, saying their endorsement alone was reason to reject him.
James has long been a political target of Trump and his allies. In 2022, she sued Trump and the Trump Organization for allegedly inflating property values to secure loans and insurance benefits.
That case led to a massive civil judgment of $355 million in restitution, later growing with interest to over $527 million, before an appellate court canceled the fine earlier this year. James has since appealed that ruling.
Her persistence in pursuing Trump in civil court has made her a hero to some and a target to others, with Friday’s developments underscoring how her work continues to shape not only Trump’s legal landscape but also the careers of federal prosecutors.
Siebert, who has led the Eastern District of Virginia since January and was nominated by Trump in May to serve permanently, has yet to be confirmed by the Senate.
The office he leaves behind is among the nation’s most influential, with jurisdiction over terrorism cases, international corruption, and high-level white-collar prosecutions.
As questions swirl around whether political pressure played a role in Siebert’s departure, James remains unmoved by the renewed attacks, continuing to characterize them as retaliation for her successful pursuit of Trump’s business empire.
