President Donald Trump is preparing to dismiss the U.S. Attorney Erik Siebert after the top prosecutor in Virginia resisted pressure from administration officials to file criminal charges against New York Attorney General Letitia James, according to people familiar with the matter.

Siebert, who leads the influential Eastern District of Virginia is one of the nation’s busiest federal prosecutor’s offices and is expected to leave his post Friday after rejecting efforts to pursue a mortgage fraud case tied to James’ 2023 home purchase.

In Trump's administration, officials reportedly urged Siebert to move forward with charges even after investigators found no evidence that James knowingly misrepresented details in the home purchase. Sources suggest that the administration now plans to install a prosecutor more willing to investigate Trump’s political adversaries.

The move concerns Trump's alleged efforts to use the Department of Justice against critics, with similar investigations targeting Sen. Adam Schiff and Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook.

James, a Democrat who has led multiple legal battles against Trump, who also won a civil fraud case that accused him and his family of inflating property values to secure favorable loans. While an appeals court later overturned a nearly $500 million penalty, the finding of fraud was upheld.

A career prosecutor,Erik Siebert served in Virginia since 2010, taking on organized crime, drug trafficking, and violent offenses. He assumed the role of interim U.S. attorney in January following the resignation of Jessica Aber and was formally nominated by Trump in May. Democrats Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, both Virginia senators, backed his appointment.

The Eastern District of Virginia, known for its swift-moving cases and proximity to Washington, D.C., routinely handles challenging matters involving national security and terrorism. Legal observers warn that Siebert’s eviction could disrupt ongoing cases and fuel concerns of political interference.

The controversy stems from documents linked to James’ home purchase in Virginia. Trump allies claimed the paperwork suggested she falsely listed the property as her primary residence. The investigators concluded that the contested form signed by James’ niece under a limited power of attorney had played no role in the loan approval process.

Despite the lack of evidence, administration officials pursued the claim after a referral from the Federal Housing Finance Agency earlier this year.

If Siebert is dismissed, Trump is expected to quickly nominate a replacement viewed as more aggressive toward James. The decision would mark another flashpoint in the ongoing clash between the former president and the attorney general who has become one of his most persistent legal challengers