Trump Plans Lindsey Halligan Virginia U.S. Attorney Amid Political Pressure

President Donald Trump has nominated Lindsey Halligan, a White House aide without prior federal prosecution experience, to be U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, replacing Erik Siebert who resigned after refusing to bring charges against New York Attorney General Letitia James. Halligan previously defended Trump in the Mar-a-Lago classified documents case and is currently involved in overseeing Smithsonian museums, which Trump criticizes for an "overemphasis on slavery." Attorney General Pam Bondi appointed Maggie Cleary as acting U.S. Attorney, but Trump publicly criticized Bondi for not prosecuting his political opponents and insisted on Halligan's nomination. Cleary, a conservative lawyer with GOP ties, has expressed strong political views and was named acting U.S. Attorney following Siebert's departure under pressure from the Trump administration. The situation highlights tensions within the Justice Department over prosecutorial independence versus political loyalty, as Trump urges aggressive legal actions against his perceived enemies. This development underscores Trump's efforts to install trusted allies in key legal positions to advance his agenda.