A high-stakes debate has erupted within the Trump administration regarding the future of Erik S. Siebert, the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. This turmoil centers around ongoing investigations involving New York Attorney General Letitia James and former F.B.I. Director James B. Comey. According to sources familiar with the matter, administration officials have indicated that Mr. Siebert is likely to be dismissed, although there are efforts within the Justice Department to safeguard his position.
Recently, Mr. Siebert communicated to senior officials at the Justice Department that investigators found insufficient evidence to pursue mortgage fraud charges against Ms. James. Furthermore, he has expressed concerns regarding the viability of a potential case against Mr. Comey. This context is significant, given President Trump's longstanding view of Ms. James and Mr. Comey as adversaries. The President has openly promised retribution against law enforcement officials who have investigated him, even labeling Ms. James as “a crook.”
Despite the tense atmosphere, a Justice Department spokesman and a White House spokesman have not provided immediate comments regarding the situation. Additionally, a spokesman for Mr. Siebert has refrained from commenting. Multiple administration officials, who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of personnel matters, have described the current situation as both fluid and confusing.
As of midday Friday, Mr. Siebert and his top deputy were still at their posts, with no official orders to vacate their positions. Notably, Attorney General Pam Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche have privately defended Mr. Siebert against calls for his termination from officials like William J. Pulte, the director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency. These officials have advocated for the appointment of a prosecutor who would be more aggressive in pursuing cases against Ms. James and Mr. Comey.
Mr. Blanche has also raised questions about the legal viability of bringing charges against Ms. James, as reported by current and former officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity. This skepticism reflects a broader consideration of the implications of pursuing high-profile cases against individuals with significant political affiliations.
Mr. Siebert's office has encountered challenges in its investigation of Mr. Comey, particularly regarding allegations that he lied under oath. Just last week, prosecutors issued a subpoena to Daniel C. Richman, a Columbia law professor and close adviser to Mr. Comey, as part of the inquiry into whether Comey authorized Richman to leak information to the media. Documents released by the F.B.I. in August have indicated that investigators were examining potential disclosures of classified information to The New York Times.
However, reports suggest that Mr. Richman’s statements to prosecutors have not been particularly helpful for building a case against Mr. Comey. This situation adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing investigations involving high-profile figures in the Trump administration.
The push to remove Mr. Siebert, who is regarded as a highly competent career prosecutor, has taken many by surprise. Siebert has worked closely with Emil Bove III, a noted figure in the Trump administration regarding immigration and gang cases. His potential dismissal has raised eyebrows in an office that deals with some of the nation’s most sensitive national security investigations. His situation was first reported by ABC News.
Mr. Siebert is well-respected by numerous Trump administration officials and key congressional leaders, such as Senator Charles E. Grassley of Iowa, the Republican chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Having started his career as a police officer in Washington, D.C., he has ascended through the ranks over the past 15 years, handling diverse cases that include international drug trafficking, white-collar crimes, public corruption, and immigration issues.
Notably, during the Trump administration, Mr. Siebert has been actively involved in cases related to immigrant gangs and has maintained a strong working relationship with Mr. Bove. In 2019, he was appointed deputy criminal supervisor in the Richmond division of the U.S. attorney’s office, later becoming the interim U.S. attorney for Eastern Virginia in January. In May, federal judges in the district unanimously decided to keep him in this crucial role.
