The Justice Department has fired Robert McBride, the top career prosecutor in the Eastern District of Virginia office led by U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan, marking the latest upheaval in an already tumultuous prosecutors’ office. This move comes as the department continues to assert Halligan’s authority despite court rulings that have challenged her appointment and dismissed high-profile cases she pursued.
Robert McBride, who served as the first assistant U.S. attorney under Halligan, was removed from his position on January 12, 2026, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter. His dismissal was backed by Justice Department leadership in Washington, D.C., and leaves the office without a senior prosecutor to oversee ongoing investigations and cases. McBride had been in the role for only a few weeks after being appointed in late September 2025, following Halligan’s installation as U.S. attorney by Attorney General Pam Bondi and the Trump administration. During his brief tenure, he took on significant responsibilities, including meeting with federal judges in the district, which is customary for top prosecutors.
The Eastern District of Virginia office has been in a state of chaos for months, stemming from the forced departure of Trump’s initial pick to lead it and the subsequent removal of other experienced prosecutors. Halligan, a lawyer with no prior prosecutorial experience, was appointed by President Donald Trump in September 2025, but her authority has been repeatedly questioned in court. Federal judges have ruled that her appointment was unlawful, leading to the dismissal of criminal cases she brought against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James. These cases were seen as politically motivated attempts to target Trump’s perceived enemies.
McBride’s firing is directly linked to internal disputes over the handling of these cases, particularly whether to re-indict James Comey. Sources indicate that there was disagreement within the office about pursuing the Comey case further, with McBride allegedly reluctant to move forward. Additionally, some political appointees in the Trump administration were dissatisfied with McBride’s performance, citing his failure to hold regular meetings with other law enforcement agencies and not advancing enough immigration-related cases. This dissatisfaction contributed to the decision to remove him.
The turmoil extends beyond McBride’s departure. Other line prosecutors working on the politicized cases have left the office, further depleting its ranks. The Justice Department has faced legal challenges over who rightfully leads the office, with court filings in recent weeks including the names of Halligan, McBride, and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. A judge in Washington, D.C., has largely blocked attempts to revive the case against Comey, and grand juries have refused to re-indict James on mortgage fraud allegations.
Behind the scenes, McBride had reportedly met with federal judges without the knowledge of administration officials, in what some interpreted as an effort to be appointed acting U.S. attorney by the court. This move likely exacerbated tensions with the Trump administration, which views Halligan as the legitimate head of the office. The Justice Department continues to insist that Halligan is in charge, despite the judicial rulings that undermine her position.
The firing of McBride underscores the deep politicization of the Justice Department under the Trump administration and raises concerns about the independence of federal prosecutors. It leaves the Eastern District of Virginia office in a precarious position, with no clear leadership to manage its docket of cases. The ongoing legal battles over authority are likely to continue, potentially affecting the prosecution of other significant matters. As the situation evolves, the focus will be on whether the department appoints a new top prosecutor and how it addresses the court’s concerns about Halligan’s appointment.
