Virginia U.S. Attorney Resigns After Trump Demands Charges Against New York Official

President Donald Trump has intensified pressure on the Justice Department to prosecute his political opponents, notably California Senator Adam Schiff and New York Attorney General Letitia James, whom he accuses of wrongdoing without evidence. This exertion of influence led to the resignation of Erik Siebert, the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, who reportedly declined to pursue charges against James due to insufficient evidence. Trump publicly praised Siebert's firing and announced his nomination of Lindsey Halligan, a close legal ally, to replace him, signaling a strategic move to align the office with his political agenda. The controversy centers on allegations of mortgage document falsification against James, which have not been substantiated by investigators, who describe the inquiry as politically motivated revenge. Trump has also called on Attorney General Pam Bondi to prosecute his perceived enemies, framing the effort as crucial to restoring the country's reputation and credibility. These developments highlight a significant escalation in Trump's approach toward leveraging federal prosecutors for political ends, challenging longstanding norms of judicial independence.