Fired federal prosecutor tapes a note about duty to the door on his way out

The Albert V. Bryan courthouse, home of the US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, stands in Alexandria, Virginia, on September 25, 2025. Al Drago/Reuters

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 thes