Kaiser PLLC Attorney Colby Moore Shares Perspective in The Washington Post
In a letter to the editor published by The Washington Post on September 23, Kaiser PLLC attorney Colby Moore cautioned against the politicization of U.S. Attorneys’ offices.
Moore explained that the resignation of U.S. Attorney Erik S. Siebert in the Eastern District of Virginia—under political pressure—poses risks to the integrity of a district historically recognized for its independence and critical national security work, from the 9/11 “20th hijacker” case to the espionage cases of Robert Hanssen and Aldrich Ames.
“As a criminal defense attorney, I obviously don’t agree with every prosecution the office brings,” Moore wrote. “But a competent U.S. attorney’s office is crucial to the administration of justice. When an office is in disarray, it hurts everyone.” You can view The Washington Post letter here (subscription required). For convenience, the full text of Moore’s letter is also included below.
Full Letter to the Editor
(Published September 23, 2025, in The Washington Post)
President Donald Trump’s political pressure campaign against Erik S. Siebert, the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, for refusing to prosecute New York Attorney General Letitia James is certainly worth attention, but it should not be lost that Siebert’s resignation will have widespread negative consequences. U.S. attorney’s offices across the country are intentionally more insulated from politics than the rest of the Justice Department. The attorneys in these offices are on the ground in communities, prosecuting everything from violent crimes to public corruption. These prosecutors span the political spectrum, but they take these jobs with one goal in mind: to do justice. Forcing Siebert out signals a dangerous move toward interfering in the day-to-day, apolitical judgment calls made by prosecutors. The fact that this happened in the Eastern District of Virginia brings a special significance. As the home of the Pentagon, the CIA, the largest naval base in the world and FBI Quantico, the U.S. attorney’s office is at the forefront of investigating critically important national security issues. This office was entrusted with prosecuting the so-called 20th hijacker from the 9/11 attacks and the country’s most notorious espionage cases, such as those of Robert Hanssen and Aldrich Ames. While the U.S. attorney’s office in D.C. has been bogged down by politics and Trump’s personal grudges — which has led to turmoil and an exodus of talented prosecutors — Virginia’s Eastern District had remained above the fray. Siebert’s resignation reverses that message. As a criminal defense attorney, I obviously don’t agree with every prosecution the office brings. But a competent U.S. attorney’s office is crucial to the administration of justice. When an office is in disarray, it hurts everyone. It means bringing more frivolous and politically motivated cases against criminal defendants; burdening the court with unnecessary cases and motions; and delaying the process for victims seeking justice. With the threats from Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi resulting in Siebert’s resignation, I worry that the Eastern District of Virginia will soon follow the example of D.C., where prosecutors and staff have been punished, morale has been sapped, and the office has fallen into chaos.
