Fired federal prosecutor tapes a note about duty to the door on his way out [View all]

Source: CNN Politics

PUBLISHED Oct 3, 2025, 1:29 PM ET


Days after being fired, the top national security prosecutor in Virginia’s eastern district taped a letter outside his former office accusing top Justice Department officials of being “more concerned” with going after President Donald Trump’s perceived enemies than protecting the country’s security.

The typed letter dated Friday and signed by Michael Ben’Ary said that as a prosecutor, he took an oath “that requires you to follow the facts and the law wherever they lead, free from fear or favor, and unhindered by political interference.”

“In recent months, the political leadership of the Department have violated these principles, jeopardizing our national security and making American citizens less safe,” he said.

Ben’Ary’s letter adds to a list of federal prosecutors who, since Trump took office in January, say they were fired as part of a political calculus and without consideration for their work.


A note left behind by a federal prosecutor in the Eastern District of Virginia who was fired by the Justice Department. (Obtained by CNN)

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2025/10/03/politics/fired-federal-prosecutor-michael-benary-virginia