Trump Fires Virginia Federal Prosecutor Over Unsubstantiated Fraud Investigation

President Donald Trump has nominated Lindsey Halligan as the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia following the contentious departure of interim U.S. Attorney Erik Siebert. Trump fired Siebert after he declined to pursue charges against New York Attorney General Letitia James for alleged mortgage fraud, despite Trump publicly pushing for an indictment. Siebert’s firing drew sharp criticism, with Democratic Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner condemning the move as politically motivated. Siebert had strong bipartisan support and had led the office since January, but his failure to bring charges against James, who had previously won a civil fraud suit against Trump, led to his ousting. The situation highlights tensions between the Trump administration and the Justice Department, raising concerns about political interference in federal prosecutions. This turmoil underscores ongoing debates about the integrity of justice amid political pressures.