The New Yorker Radio Hour A Former Federal Prosecutor on Why He Quit Donald Trump’s Department of Justice
Mar 31, 2026
Troy Edwards, a former assistant U.S. attorney who led national-security prosecutions and resigned over DOJ politicization, discusses his path in EDVA and prosecuting January 6 cases. He recounts watching institutional fractures, the tipping point of a controversial indictment tied to his family, and why he chose resignation while career prosecutors keep working.
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Why EDVA Is Central To National Security
- Troy Edwards argues the Eastern District of Virginia (EDVA) is critical because of proximity to the Pentagon and intelligence community.
- EDVA's location makes it a frontline venue for national security prosecutions and investigations affecting community safety.
Career Prosecutors Kept The DOJ Functional
- Edwards expected politicization after mass pardons on day one and watched career prosecutors hold the institution together.
- He saw offices refusing to pursue certain cases and factions walking out as signs the DOJ's professional norms still mattered.
Family Impact When SDNY Prosecutor Was Fired
- Maureen Comey, Edwards's sister-in-law, was fired from SDNY, prompting her to sue the administration for unlawful termination.
- Edwards says her lawsuit is vital to establish precedent that such politically driven dismissals are unlawful.