Attorney General Pam Bondi has named the successor to Erik Siebert, who previously served as an interim U.S. attorney in Virginia before President Donald Trump withdrew his nomination.
Bondi selected Mary “Maggie” Cleary as acting U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, the Washington Post reported. Cleary revealed the appointment in an email to staff on Saturday afternoon, describing it as “unexpected” while also thanking Siebert for his service in the role, which lasted just eight months.
“I look forward to working with you to further our mission for the American people,” she wrote.
According to her LinkedIn profile, Cleary has an extensive background as an attorney in Virginia. That has included stints in the Culpeper County Commonwealth Attorney’s Office, the state’s Department of Public Safety and Homeland Security, as well as special counsel for Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares.
Cleary also just began working in the U.S. Department of Justice’s Criminal Division earlier this month.
Her appointment follows Trump’s apparent firing of Siebert, who reportedly intended to resign anyway amid pressure to charge New York Attorney General Letitia James over alleged mortgage fraud.
“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,” Siebert wrote in an email to staff on Friday.
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The president later clarified that he withdrew Siebert’s nomination because of “UNUSUALLY STRONG” backing from Sens. Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Mark Warner (D-VA).
“He didn’t quit, I fired him! Next time let him go in as a Democrat, not a Republican,” Trump posted on Truth Social.
