Trump US Attorney in Virginia Resigns, Succeeded by Competitor

The Trump-nominated US attorney for the Western District of Virginia abruptly resigned as the office’s interim leader Wednesday, and is being replaced by the lawyer he’d edged out for the job.

Todd Gilbert, formerly the Republican speaker of Virginia’s House of Delegates, stepped down as the Roanoke-based chief federal prosecutor as of 5 p.m., Brian McGinn, a spokesman for the US attorney’s office, confirmed. Robert Tracci is assuming the role as acting US attorney, after arriving as Gilbert’s top deputy earlier this month, McGinn added.

McGinn and a spokesman at the Justice Department’s headquarters both declined to comment on why Gilbert resigned.

The shakeup comes less than two months after Trump first nominated Gilbert, with strong support from Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R). Attorney General Pam Bondi appointed Gilbert on an interim basis a little more than a month ago, allowing him to take charge while awaiting Senate confirmation.

Tracci, who hadn’t publicly announced that he left his role as a senior aide to Virginia’s attorney general to work as Gilbert’s first assistant, had been a top finalist for the US attorney nomination. Virginia’s Democratic US senators, Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, recommended Gilbert and Tracci to Trump for the job.

The rural Western District, with offices in Charlottesville and Abingdon, has for years punched above its weight by bringing aggressive corporate cases that led to major settlements with Purdue Pharma, McKinsey & Co., and other well-known companies.

The switch follows a series of Trump DOJ moves to oust more institutionalist law enforcement officials in favor of White House loyalists. Gilbert, by contrast, had just been tapped by Trump to run the Virginia district.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on whether Trump will withdraw Gilbert’s nomination.

First assistants are often chosen personally by the US attorney to run day-to-day operations of the office. It’s not clear if Gilbert had a say in selecting Tracci to serve as his deputy.