FOLLOW US

Damien M. Diggs, the first African American U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Texas, announced his resignation on Friday, effective Jan. 21, 2025, one day after President Donald Trump is set to begin his second term in office. Diggs, who was appointed in May 2023 after being nominated by President Joe Biden, made history as the first African American to lead the district.

In his resignation statement, Diggs expressed gratitude to President Biden, Attorney General Merrick Garland, and Texas Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz for their trust in him. “I will forever be grateful for having had the opportunity to serve the nation and the citizens of the Eastern District of Texas,” Diggs said.

Diggs' leadership was marked by several key initiatives aimed at enhancing public safety and combating crime in the region. One of his most significant accomplishments was the expansion of the Project Safe Neighborhoods program, which was broadened to include Beaumont, Longview, and Plano. He also established Operation Purple Ribbon, a domestic violence initiative designed to identify and prosecute offenders, as well as a carjacking task force that contributed to a reduction in such crimes within the district.

Under Diggs' tenure, the office also worked with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to launch Operation Texas Kill Switch. This operation targeted illegal machine gun conversion devices, resulting in multiple prosecutions. The district also secured major convictions, including a 25-year sentence for a Colombian drug trafficker and the extradition of the leader of the Los Pochos drug trafficking organization.

The civil division, under Diggs' leadership, also saw notable successes. The office negotiated a $97 million settlement with Walgreens, resolving allegations that the company had improperly billed government payors for prescriptions that were never dispensed. Another major settlement of $21.75 million was reached with Medisca Inc. over claims that the company had submitted false and inflated average wholesale prices for ingredients used in compounded prescriptions.

Diggs' resignation comes amid a broader wave of U.S. attorneys stepping down, following the approach of President Trump’s second term. Alamdar S. Hamdani, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas, announced his resignation for Jan. 19, and other U.S. attorneys, including Jill E. Steinberg from the Southern District of Georgia and Peter D. Leary of the Middle District of Georgia, have also announced departures. Matthew Graves, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, who led the federal investigation into the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack, will also step down on Jan. 16.

Despite his resignation, Diggs expressed pride in the work done by his office. “It has been an honor and a privilege leading this district for the past two years. I can proudly say that the Eastern District, the state of Texas, and the United States are safer because of the great work being done here,” he stated. Diggs also highlighted his office’s global impact, stating that the office’s work reached five continents in the pursuit of justice.

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Abe McGlothin Jr. will take over as acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Texas until a permanent replacement is nominated by the president and confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

Diggs' resignation marks another significant change within the Department of Justice, as the new administration prepares to take office. As the Eastern District of Texas transitions, the office's efforts in combatting crime and securing justice for citizens across the district will remain a point of focus under new leadership.