A key Trump loyalist who took over the high-powered Virginia US attorney’s office has cleaned house by removing a senior Justice Department official who briefly led before her.

Halligan’s ascension to the role follows the resignation of Erik Siebert, the original Trump-appointed U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. Siebert stepped down under pressure from Trump after he refused to indict former FBI Director James Comey, a decision that did not sit well with the former president.

In the interim, Maggie Cleary, a seasoned career prosecutor, was appointed to fill the role. However, her tenure was short-lived as Halligan soon took over. Cleary, aligning with her fellow colleagues, opposed Halligan’s controversial decision to proceed with the Comey case, showcasing a clear division within the department.

Halligan then became the replacement, and Cleary sided with her colleagues in opposing Halligan’s decision to bring the Comey case.

During the grand jury testimony, Cleary sat in the back row rather than at the government table in a clear display of disunity within the department.

Now, according to CNN, she has been removed from the office entirely.

The publication stated it is unclear whether she remains employed by the Justice Department and was transferred to a new role, or whether she was axed entirely.

Her departure comes amid mass changes in the department since Halligan took over.

Lindsey Halligan has been taking steps to assert her authority over the office after President Donald Trump hand-picked her for the role on September 20

Trump announced via social media he was nominating Halligan as U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, writing that she ‘will be Fair, Smart, and will provide, desperately needed, JUSTICE FOR ALL’

Two other long term prosecutors, Michael Ben’Ary and Maya Song, were fired after Halligan charged Comey.

Ben’Ary taped a note to the door of his office as he was leaving which accused Justice Department leadership of being ‘more concerned with punishing the president’s perceived enemies than they are with protecting our national security.’ 

Comey’s son-in-law Troy Edwards Jr. also resigned from the office. Comey is accused of making a false statement to Congress and obstruction of a congressional proceeding back in 2020. He maintains his innocence.

‘My family and I have known for years that there are costs to standing up to Donald Trump,’ Comey said after his indictment. 

A source told CNN Halligan intends to move prosecutors along who may oppose her work in targeting high-profile cases.

She is also involved in the case against former New York Attorney General Leticia James.

James is accused of mortgage fraud relating to paperwork discrepancies on her Brooklyn townhouse and a Virginia home. 

Senior prosecutor Maggie Cleary has reportedly been pushed out of the department since Halligan took over

Prior to her appointment, Halligan (top left) had no criminal trial experience but previously served as Trump’s personal attorney.

She is also involved in the case against former New York Attorney General Leticia James. James is accused of mortgage fraud relating to paperwork discrepancies on her Brooklyn townhouse and a Virginia home

James’ lawyers have vigorously denied any allegations and characterized the investigation as an act of political revenge.

Cleary was a stalwart of Republican administrations in Virginia before joining the federal prosecutors office in 2025.

After Halligan took over, Cleary was appointed what was essentially the next best prosecutor’s job, serving under Halligan, who had no criminal trial experience but previously served as Trump’s personal attorney.

Trump announced via social media he was nominating Halligan as U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, writing that she ‘will be Fair, Smart, and will provide, desperately needed, JUSTICE FOR ALL!’ 

Halligan served as one of his attorneys in the early days of the FBI’s investigation into Trump’s retention of classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.