Justice Department Fires Top Prosecutor in Virginia Leadership Crisis
The U.S. Department of Justice fired Robert McBride, the No. 2 prosecutor in the Eastern District of Virginia, amid disputes over unlawful office appointments.
The United States Department of Justice fired Robert McBride, the No. 2 career prosecutor in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia, on January 12, 2026. The dismissal follows a period of leadership turmoil in the office, where U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan has faced judicial rulings declaring her appointment unlawful. These rulings resulted in the dismissal of cases Halligan brought against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James.
Reports conflict on the primary reason for McBride's removal. Some sources state he was ousted for refusing to lead re-indictments of James Comey or for neglecting immigration cases. Other accounts suggest McBride was fired after meeting with federal judges without authorization to seek a court appointment as acting U.S. Attorney.
The firing leaves the office without a top prosecutor to manage daily operations and oversee active investigations. The leadership instability is further evidenced by court filings that have required the names of Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche and Halligan to appear alongside McBride during these disputes.
