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US Attorney for DC Matthew Graves to resign in January

By FOX 5 DC Digital Team
Updated  December 30, 2024 11:37pm EST
Washington, D.C.
FOX 5 DC

US Attorney for DC to resign ahead of Trump inauguration

The U.S. Attorney of D.C. is expected to step down just days before President-elect Donald Trump takes office. Matthew Graves has served in the role for more than three years after being appointed by President Biden.

The Brief

    • Matthew Graves, the U.S. Attorney for D.C., announced he will leave his role in January 2025 after more than three years.
    • Graves worked on major cases, including the Jan. 6 Capitol attack investigation and recovering billions in stolen cryptocurrency.
    • Bridget Fitzpatrick, Graves’ top deputy, will step in as acting U.S. Attorney when he leaves.

Graves announces departure

WASHINGTON - Matthew M. Graves, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, announced Monday that he will step down in January, ending his more than three-year tenure as the city’s top federal prosecutor.

"Serving as the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia has been the honor of a lifetime," Graves said in a statement, thanking Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, President Biden, and Attorney General Merrick Garland for their trust and support.

Graves was confirmed by the Senate on Oct. 28, 2021, and sworn into office on Nov. 5, 2021. 

His tenure was marked by significant achievements and the navigation of extraordinary challenges. 

Addressing DC crime 

While in office, the District saw its lowest level of violent crime in more than 50 years by 2024.

The U.S. Attorney for D.C. recently presented data to reporters showing 3,388 cases of violent crime in D.C. in 2024. 

Compared to the same time last year, there were 5,215 cases of violent crime, a decrease of 35%.

Graves said "targeting drivers of gun violence" was the most impactful way to address the issue. 

"More importantly, figuring out in our community…who’s really driving violence and holding them accountable to some crimes, so you can take them off the street before they commit the next crime," he said. 

Investigating the Capitol Riot, stolen cryptocurrency and illicit tobacco sales

Graves played a key role in addressing the Department of Justice’s largest-ever investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. 

He also oversaw several groundbreaking cases, including the recovery of $3.6 billion in cryptocurrency stolen from the Bitfinex exchange and a $629 million penalty against British American Tobacco for illicit sales to North Korea.

What's next?

Bridget M. Fitzpatrick, currently the Principal Assistant U.S. Attorney, will take over as Acting U.S. Attorney following Graves’ departure.

The Source: The information in this article came from a press release issued by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia.

Washington, D.C.