President Trump Nominates Lindsey Halligan as US Attorney for Eastern District of Virginia
President Trump announced on Saturday that he would be nominating senior White House aide Lindsey Halligan to serve as the top federal prosecutor for the Eastern District of Virginia. This move comes after the previous US Attorney, Erik Siebert, abruptly left his position on Friday. Halligan has been a part of Mr. Trump’s legal team for several years and has worked on high-profile cases, including the investigation into Mr. Trump’s retention of classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.
Background and Experience
Halligan has been involved in several notable cases, including serving as one of Mr. Trump’s attorneys in the early days of the FBI’s investigation into his retention of classified documents. She has also been enlisted in a White House effort to remove what the administration contends is “improper ideology” from Smithsonian properties. Halligan’s experience and expertise in these areas have likely contributed to her nomination for the position of US Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia.
Controversy Surrounding Siebert’s Departure
Siebert’s resignation came amid pressure from Trump administration officials to bring criminal charges against New York Attorney General Letitia James in a mortgage fraud investigation. Multiple sources had told CBS News that federal prosecutors for the district were concerned that Siebert could be removed for failing to prosecute James. Mr. Trump did not push back on these concerns, saying “Yeah, I want him out.” The investigation into James stems from allegations that she provided false information on mortgage applications to get better loan rates for a home in Virginia.
Reaction to Halligan’s Nomination
Democratic Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner of Virginia expressed support for Siebert’s nomination back in May, but Mr. Trump wrote on Saturday that he “withdrew” Siebert’s nomination when he “was informed” that Siebert had received their support. The two senators wrote in a joint statement, “What is Trump focused on? Threatening to pull anyone who criticizes him on TV off the air. And now, pushing out the interim U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia that we recommended and he himself nominated because Erik Siebert is an ethical prosecutor who refused to bring criminal charges against Trump’s perceived enemies when the facts wouldn’t support it.”
Interim US Attorney Mary “Maggie” Cleary
Mary “Maggie” Cleary, a conservative lawyer, was named acting US Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, according to an email to staff obtained by CBS News. Cleary recently rejoined the Justice Department as a senior counsel in the criminal division and has worked as a prosecutor in the Culpepper Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office. She has also worked in Virginia Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s administration and later served in Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares’ office.
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