Trump Installs Conservative Ally as Acting U.S. Attorney to Counter "Weaponized" Probes

Trump Appoints Mary Cleary as Acting U.S. Attorney for Eastern District of Virginia Amid Controversy Over Prior Leadership

Attorney General Pam Bondi has appointed Mary “Maggie” Cleary as the acting U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, replacing Erik Siebert, who resigned following pressure from the Trump administration. Cleary, a conservative lawyer from Culpeper, Virginia, and former assistant U.S. attorney, was elevated to the role after Siebert’s departure, which ABC News reported involved resistance to prosecuting New York Attorney General Letitia James for alleged mortgage fraud. Cleary’s appointment was announced internally by the Justice Department on September 20, 2025, and described as “unexpected” in a department email reviewed by Politico.

Cleary’s background includes active involvement in Republican politics and a prior claim that she was “framed” for being at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. This led to an internal investigation and temporary administrative leave before she was cleared. In a May 2025 statement, Cleary cited her experience of being “politically weaponized” as motivation to seek the Virginia post, stating she felt “emboldened” under Trump’s presidency to advocate for ending “politically weaponized investigations.” Her appointment follows a pattern of Trump’s administration replacing U.S. attorneys with allies, a strategy detailed in Bloomberg Law, which noted the president’s push to install interim leaders aligned with his priorities in key districts.

Siebert’s resignation has drawn scrutiny, with Trump asserting on Truth Social that he “fired” him for Democratic ties. Siebert’s office reportedly faced pressure to pursue criminal charges against James, a long-time Trump adversary. While the contours of the investigation remain unconfirmed, Cleary’s elevation underscores the administration’s focus on reshaping federal prosecutors to align with its agenda. Bondi’s decision to appoint Cleary as first assistant U.S. attorney—automatically making her acting U.S. attorney—highlights the administrative flexibility in filling these roles.

The broader context of Trump’s U.S. attorney replacements reveals a strategic effort to consolidate control over federal law enforcement. Bloomberg Law reported that the Trump transition team is prioritizing high-profile districts, including Manhattan, Washington, D.C., and Miami, to install interim leaders who support policies such as deportation enforcement. This approach contrasts with past administrations, which typically allowed Biden-appointed U.S. attorneys to resign by January 17 to facilitate smoother transitions. However, the Trump team has expressed skepticism about the loyalty of interim appointees who inherited roles from Biden-era officials, leading to calls for direct replacements from within the Justice Department’s career ranks.

Legal and political challenges accompany these moves. Critics argue that rapid replacements risk undermining the independence of U.S. attorneys, who historically serve at the president’s discretion but often operate with significant autonomy. The Senate’s role in confirming permanent nominees remains contentious, with Democratic leaders like Sen. Dick Durbin placing holds on Trump’s nominees, citing concerns over unqualified candidates. For example, Alina Habba, Trump’s interim U.S. attorney for New Jersey, faced a standoff with federal judges after her term expired, prompting a legal maneuver to extend her tenure.

The administration’s strategy reflects a broader ideological shift, as seen in Trump’s directive for Cleary to “end politically weaponized investigations.” This aligns with his broader agenda to reorient federal law enforcement toward immigration enforcement and crime reduction. However, the use of acting appointments raises questions about the stability of U.S. attorney offices, as noted by legal analyst Elie Honig, who highlighted the potential for “chaos” in districts with frequent leadership changes.

As the Trump administration moves to finalize its prosecutorial priorities, the focus on replacing U.S. attorneys underscores the political calculus shaping federal law enforcement. With Senate confirmations stalled and interim appointments contested, the balance between executive authority and institutional independence remains a focal point of debate.