NORFOLK, Va. — Author's note: the above photo was taken before the coronavirus pandemic.
Thursday afternoon, Robert Higdon Jr., the US attorney for the eastern district of North Carolina, publicly resigned from his post.
In a release, Higdon's office said he was responding to President Joe Biden and the Justice Department requesting that all Trump-appointed US attorneys step down.
It's not unusual for US attorneys to resign when new administrations are sworn-in, but it's not an automatic change. In 2017, US attorneys nominated by former president Barack Obama were asked to resign.
Higdon was appointed to his role in October, 2017.
In Thursday's resignation, he thanked former president Donald Trump and senators Richard Burr and Thom Tillis, all Republicans, for helping him get the job.
"I leave office with deep respect for the outstanding men and women who serve the United States Department of Justice in the Eastern District as prosecutors and as members of the support staff," Higdon wrote. "They are dedicated to the safety and security of our citizens, and their tireless work has made communities all across our state safer and more secure."
You can read Higdon's full resignation letter below:
