Trump taps White House aide Lindsey Halligan for Virginia U.S. attorney post
Nomination comes as the Eastern District of Virginia's top prosecutor steps down amid a politically charged mortgage probe involving Letitia James; Halligan has been in Trump's legal orbit for years.
President Donald Trump on Friday nominated Lindsey Halligan, a senior White House aide, to serve as the top federal prosecutor for the Eastern District of Virginia, a post that became available after the office’s U.S. attorney was pushed out Friday.
Trump announced the nomination in a Truth Social post, praising Halligan as a "tough, smart, and loyal attorney" who has been in his legal orbit for years. He said she is "extremely intelligent, fearless" and capable of being outstanding in the role, especially when working with Attorney General Pam Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. Halligan, a special assistant to the president, has also been part of Trump’s legal team in the aftermath of the FBI’s raid on Mar-a-Lago and has been involved in White House efforts related to Smithsonian museums.
The nomination comes as Erik Siebert, who had been the interim U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, resigned Friday amid a push by Trump administration officials to bring charges in the investigation into mortgage-related paperwork tied to Letitia James, the New York attorney general. Siebert said in an email to colleagues that he had submitted his resignation, though Trump said he was fired. Trump noted he was backed by Virginia’s two Democratic senators, Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, adding, "Next time let him go in as a Democrat, not a Republican."
Letitia James has denied any wrongdoing and characterized the investigation as political retaliation. Her office has said the probe concerns alleged discrepancies in mortgage documentation tied to a Brooklyn townhouse and a Virginia home. The inquiry has been a focal point of political tensions surrounding Trump’s broader effort to criminally charge James, a longtime political foe of the former president.
If confirmed, Halligan would assume leadership of an office under heightened scrutiny as federal prosecutors navigate politically charged pressures and ongoing investigations with potential national implications. Her background, including time spent with Trump’s legal team and involvement in high-profile White House legal matters, frames the nomination as part of a broader strategic alignment by the administration in federal prosecutions. The Eastern District of Virginia has carved out a reputation for handling high-stakes cases, including investigations that intersect with national political figures and policy debates.
The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the nomination. Senate confirmation would be required, and the timing could hinge on partisan considerations and committee schedules, as lawmakers evaluate Halligan’s qualifications and readiness to oversee a district that has operated under unusual political pressure in recent months.