BREAKING: US Attorney Matthew Graves to step down before Trump inauguration

Graves said in a statement, "Serving as the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia has been the honor of a lifetime. I am deeply thankful to Congresswoman Holmes Norton for recommending me; to President Biden for nominating me; and to Attorney General Garland for placing his trust in me." Graves was confirmed by the Senate in October 2021 and was sworn in in November of that year.

In Graves’ place, Bridget Fitzpatrick, who has served as Principal Assistant United States Attorney, will become Acting US Attorney.

The Department of Justice noted in a press release that Graves oversaw "the largest investigation the Department of Justice ('DOJ') has ever conducted to address the violent attack on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021." Around 1,600 people have been charged in connection to the day, with around 1,100 people being sentenced.

"Because politically motivated violence and destruction rip at the fabric of our society, Mr. Graves made federally prosecuting such crimes a priority," the DOJ stated.

This comes as Trump has said he would act "very quickly" to issue pardons to those incarcerated over January 6, and described the conditions that those defendants have been held in as "living in hell."

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