A report indicates President Trump is set to remove Erik Siebert, the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, following a five-month investigation that found no evidence of mortgage fraud involving New York Attorney General Letitia James. The probe centered on allegations that James falsely claimed a Virginia home as her primary residence, despite being required to reside in New York as an elected official.
Sources familiar with the matter revealed administration officials have informed Siebert of Trump’s decision, with his final day expected to be Friday. Abbe Lowell, an attorney for James, condemned the potential dismissal, calling it a “brazen attack on the rule of law.” Lowell stated, “Firing people until he finds someone who will bend the law to carry out his revenge has been the President’s pattern — and it’s illegal.”
Siebert was appointed by Trump in May. The administration is reportedly seeking a replacement who would pursue investigations against James more vigorously. Meanwhile, a New York appeals court recently overturned a $500 million civil fraud penalty against Trump, citing constitutional concerns over excessive fines. The ruling allows the case to proceed to New York’s highest court.
The legal battle, initiated in 2022, has positioned James as one of Trump’s most prominent adversaries, threatening his financial empire and business legacy. A bench trial previously awarded $464 million against Trump and his company, with interest pushing the total past $527 million as of recent reports. The court’s decision was split, with some judges supporting the original findings while others called for a new trial or dismissal of the case.