The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia has found itself at the center of a political storm, as Mary "Maggie" Cleary was named acting U.S. attorney on September 20, 2025, following the abrupt resignation of Erik Siebert. The shake-up, rooted in intense political pressure from the Trump administration, has raised fresh questions about the independence of the Justice Department and the boundaries of executive influence.
Cleary, a conservative lawyer and seasoned prosecutor, steps into the role at a time when the office is under the national spotlight. Her appointment follows the controversial departure of Siebert, who resigned on September 19, 2025, after months of mounting pressure to bring criminal charges against New York Attorney General Letitia James in a mortgage fraud investigation. According to The Associated Press, the probe centers on alleged paperwork discrepancies involving James’ Brooklyn townhouse and a Virginia home. Despite months of investigation, prosecutors have yet to uncover incriminating evidence or bring any charges.
In an email to staff on her first day, Cleary acknowledged the unexpected nature of her new position. "While this appointment was unexpected, I am humbled to be joining your ranks," she wrote, as reported by Politico. She added, "I look forward to working with you to further our mission for the American people." The message sought to reassure an office that, by all accounts, has been rattled by recent events.
The circumstances of Siebert’s resignation have been anything but routine. President Donald Trump, who nominated Siebert in May 2025 but had not yet seen him confirmed by the Senate, took to social media shortly after midnight on September 20 to proclaim, "He didn’t quit, I fired him!" Trump further criticized the support Siebert received from Virginia’s two Democratic senators, Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, stating, "Next time let him go in as a Democrat, not a Republican." He elaborated during remarks in the Oval Office, telling reporters, "I want him out," and suggesting that support from Democratic senators was reason enough to withdraw Siebert’s nomination. "When I learned that they voted for him, I said, ‘I don’t really want him,’" Trump said, according to Mediaite.
Siebert, for his part, sent an email to colleagues expressing gratitude for their dedication and professionalism, though he did not reference the political turmoil that precipitated his exit. "This evening, I submitted my resignation as Interim U.S. Attorney for [Eastern District of Virginia],” he wrote. “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." He added, “Thank you for the lessons you have taught me, the sacrifices you have made, and the pursuit of justice you strive for every day."
The probe into Letitia James began in earnest after Federal Housing Finance Agency Director William Pulte requested the FBI open an investigation in April 2025. Pulte alleged that James had "falsified records" to obtain favorable loans on a Virginia home purchased in 2023 and a Brooklyn brownstone she has owned since 2001. The investigation’s specifics, including whether James indicated the Norfolk, Virginia home would be her principal residence while serving as state attorney general, have been the subject of much scrutiny. James has categorically denied the allegations, calling them "baseless" and characterizing the probe as "part of a revenge tour by Trump because she brought civil fraud charges against him and his company, the Trump Organization," according to The New York Post.
Despite the high-profile nature of the investigation, the Justice Department has spent months reviewing the case without bringing charges or uncovering evidence that could support an indictment. James’ lawyers have vigorously denied all allegations, describing the probe as an act of political revenge. As NPR noted, the administration’s push to remove Siebert and pursue charges against James has fueled concerns that prosecutorial power is being wielded for political retribution rather than justice.
Cleary’s own journey to the top of the Eastern District is marked by resilience and controversy. She was falsely accused of being present at the U.S. Capitol during the January 6, 2021 riot. In an article for The Spectator World earlier this year, Cleary recounted, “Everyone knew I was a conservative. It was all over my resume. I was in leadership in my local Republican Committee. But I had not gone to the Capitol that day.” She described being placed on administrative leave and interviewed by agents before being cleared to return to work. Reflecting on the experience, she wrote, “In the last four years, I've been somewhat cautious about sharing my experience, but now, while Donald Trump is president, I feel emboldened to finally tell how, I, too, was targeted politically.” Her account underscores the charged political environment that has come to define the Justice Department in recent years.
Before her latest appointment, Cleary served as deputy commonwealth’s attorney in Culpeper County, Virginia, and was a lecturer at the University of Virginia School of Law. She also worked as deputy secretary of public safety in Governor Glenn Youngkin’s administration and later in Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares’ office. Earlier in 2025, she rejoined the Justice Department as senior counsel in the criminal division.
The saga has also seen other departures. Siebert’s top deputy, Maya Song, is leaving her position as first assistant U.S. attorney to return to work as a line prosecutor. The office itself, historically known for handling sophisticated national security and criminal cases, now faces scrutiny over its ability to maintain independence amid escalating political pressures.
The Justice Department, for its part, has declined to comment on the personnel changes. But the episode highlights a broader trend: the Trump administration’s willingness to upend established norms meant to insulate federal prosecutors from political interference. As NPR observed, this is not the first time the administration has removed prosecutors perceived as insufficiently loyal; several others, including those involved in the special counsel investigations, have also been dismissed.
As Cleary assumes her new role, she inherits not only a high-profile investigation but also the challenge of restoring morale and public trust in an office buffeted by political crosswinds. Her stated desire to "end this type of treatment"—referring to political targeting—may well be tested in the months ahead.
For now, the Eastern District of Virginia remains under the microscope, emblematic of the broader debate over the role of politics in American justice. Whether Cleary can navigate these turbulent waters and restore a sense of normalcy to the office is a question that will play out in the public eye, with implications reaching far beyond the Commonwealth of Virginia.
