Todd Gilbert Appointed Page County Prosecutor After Resignation

Todd Gilbert has been appointed as the senior assistant commonwealth’s attorney for Page County following his recent resignation as the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Virginia. This announcement was made on Wednesday, marking a swift transition for Gilbert, who stepped down on August 20, less than two months after his appointment.

In a statement released by Commonwealth’s Attorney Armanda Clymer, Gilbert expressed enthusiasm about his new role, saying, “I am delighted to have the opportunity to do meaningful prosecution work in a county that I love and care deeply about.” Clymer noted that Gilbert would begin his new position immediately.

Gilbert’s resignation as U.S. Attorney came shortly after a contentious period within the Trump administration. He had been appointed by Pam Bondi, the Attorney General, and was nominated by Donald Trump for the position, awaiting Senate confirmation at the time of his departure. The exact reasons for his resignation remain unclear, but sources indicate it stemmed from a disagreement over personnel decisions within the Department of Justice.

Shortly after taking office on July 14, 2023, Gilbert chose to retain Zachary Lee, his predecessor’s first assistant U.S. attorney. This decision reportedly caused friction with Trump administration officials, who recommended that Gilbert appoint someone more aligned with their agenda. Gilbert’s insistence on keeping Lee led to significant tensions, resulting in the appointment of Robert Tracci as the new first assistant U.S. attorney in early August.

The situation escalated, ultimately leading to Gilbert’s resignation, with sources indicating that lingering conflicts with officials in Washington, D.C., played a significant role. Following his departure, Tracci assumed the role of acting U.S. attorney by default under federal law.

Gilbert has a robust background in law, having served as a state prosecutor in Lynchburg and the Shenandoah Valley. His experience also includes a tenure in the Virginia House of Delegates, where he held positions including speaker and both majority and minority leader. Although he initially intended to run for re-election this year, Gilbert resigned his legislative seat shortly before his appointment as interim U.S. attorney.

On the same day of Gilbert’s appointment to Page County, the White House formally withdrew his name from consideration for the U.S. Attorney position, a process initiated with his nomination in July.

Clymer emphasized the benefits of having Gilbert in her office, stating, “Todd is obviously no stranger to the people of Page County and will start to make a positive impact right away.” His local connections and experience are expected to serve the community well as he embarks on this new chapter in his legal career.