US attorney under pressure to charge Letitia James in mortgage fraud case has resigned

Core Points - The resignation of Erik Siebert as U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia is linked to pressure from the Trump administration to indict New York Attorney General Letitia James, who has been a vocal opponent of Trump [1][4][6] - The investigation into James has not resulted in any charges despite months of scrutiny, raising concerns about the politicization of the Justice Department [4][9] - Trump's comments suggest a desire for retribution against James, who successfully sued him for fraud, indicating a potential misuse of prosecutorial power for political ends [5][7][8] Group 1: Resignation and Political Pressure - Erik Siebert's resignation comes amid efforts by Trump administration officials to remove him due to his perceived lack of action against James [1][6] - Siebert's deputy, Maya Song, is also leaving her position, indicating a broader shake-up within the office [1][4] - The administration's actions are seen as a further erosion of norms designed to protect the Justice Department from political influence [1][9] Group 2: Investigation into Letitia James - The Justice Department has been investigating James for alleged discrepancies related to her properties, but no evidence has been found to support charges [4][11] - Allegations against James have been characterized by her legal team as politically motivated, with claims of a lack of substantive evidence [5][8] - The investigation was initiated following a letter from Federal Housing Finance Agency Director William Pulte, which alleged that James falsified documents [10][12] Group 3: Context of the Investigation - James has been a significant figure of contention for Trump, particularly due to a lawsuit that resulted in a substantial financial penalty against him, which was later overturned [7][12] - The Eastern District of Virginia has a history of handling complex national security and criminal cases, making Siebert's position particularly notable [12] - The ongoing investigation into potential ties between Russia and Trump's 2016 campaign remains unresolved, highlighting the contentious political landscape [9][12]