Prosecutorial Independence

Two Federal Prosecutors Fired After Refusing to Bring Charges Against Letitia James

| Importance: 9/10

On October 17, 2025, the Trump administration fired two senior federal prosecutors from the Eastern District of Virginia after they voiced opposition to bringing criminal charges against New York Attorney General Letitia James. Elizabeth Yusi, the top criminal prosecutor for the Norfolk office who …

Elizabeth Yusi Kristin Bird Erik Siebert Letitia James Donald Trump +4 more doj political-prosecution retaliation prosecutorial-independence institutional-capture +3 more
Read more →

Eastern District of Virginia US Attorney Erik Siebert Resigns Under Trump Pressure to Charge Letitia James

| Importance: 9/10

On September 20, 2025, Erik Siebert resigned as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia after President Trump publicly stated he wanted Siebert “out” following a monthslong mortgage fraud investigation into New York Attorney General Letitia James that failed to produce …

Erik Siebert Donald Trump Department of Justice Letitia James Maya Song +1 more doj prosecutor-firing political-prosecution institutional-capture prosecutorial-independence +1 more
Read more →

Former Special Counsel Jack Smith Warns Rule of Law 'Under Attack Like Never Before'

| Importance: 8/10

On September 16, 2025, former Special Counsel Jack Smith delivered his first public remarks since leaving the Department of Justice in a speech at George Mason University, warning that “the rule of law is under attack like in no other period in our lifetimes.” NPR exclusively obtained a …

Jack Smith Department of Justice George Mason University Trump Administration doj rule-of-law institutional-capture political-prosecution special-counsel +1 more
Read more →

DOJ Overrules Prosecutors' Roger Stone Sentencing Recommendation After Trump Tweet

| Importance: 8/10

On February 20, 2020, federal Judge Amy Berman Jackson sentenced Roger Stone, longtime Trump adviser and political operative, to 40 months in prison for lying to Congress, witness tampering, and obstruction of justice. The sentencing came at the conclusion of an unprecedented political controversy …

Roger Stone Donald Trump William Barr Aaron Zelinsky Jonathan Kravis +3 more doj corruption mueller investigation roger stone sentencing barr obstruction +2 more
Read more →