MBABANE:A Virginia Prosecutor has resigned under pressure from President Donald Trump after his investigation into allegations of mortgage fraud against a political adversary of the White House failed to bring criminal charges, the British Broadcasting Corporation(BBC) reported on Saturday.
Erik Siebert informed staff he would resign shortly after Trump told reporters on Friday: “I want him out”.
The Trump administration has accused New York Attorney General(AG) Letitia James of falsifying records to receive better mortgage deals.
Siebert reportedly expressed doubts about the strength of the case.
James, a Democrat who won a civil fraud suit against Trump in 2023, has previously denied the allegations as “baseless" and motivated by "revenge".
Siebert had been acting attorney for the prestigious Eastern District of Virginia office since January, and his nomination was pending confirmation in the US Senate.
“This evening, I submitted my resignation as Interim US Attorney for EDVA," he wrote in an email to staff on Friday.
“For the last eight months, I have had the pleasure of leading the finest and most exceptional of DOJ employees who care deeply about our nation and our EDVA community”.
"Thank you for the lessons you have taught me, the sacrifices you have made, and the pursuit of justice you strive for every day."
Administration officials with the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) allege James falsified bank and property records to receive better loan agreements for a home in Norfolk, Virginia.
But the New York Times reported Siebert told senior justice department officials their investigations hadn’t unearthed enough evidence to prosecute James. The Associated Press reported Siebert had been told to resign or be fired.
Erik Siebert informed staff he would resign shortly after Trump told reporters on Friday: “I want him out”(pic:via BBC).