Trump's 'warrior queen' prosecutor weaponizing her office for personal purposes: sources

President Donald Trump's top federal prosecutor in Nevada has repeatedly bypassed Justice Department ethics rules, launched investigations to benefit personal associates, and targeted a political rival, according to three sources with direct knowledge of her conduct.

Sigal Chattah, who has led the U.S. Attorney's Office in Nevada for 14 months, is alleged to have intervened in active cases on behalf of friends and former clients, sought status updates on matters from which she had been formally recused, and pushed the FBI to open investigations based on tips from personal acquaintances, reported Bloomberg.

“It’s charitable to call it chaos,” said Rick Pocker, who served as Nevada U.S. attorney under President George H. W. Bush. “I don’t think she quite understands how you’re not supposed to use that office for personal or political purposes.”

Many of those requests were rebuffed by senior FBI and Justice Department officials — but those officials have since departed, raising concerns that Chattah will face fewer checks on her behavior going forward.

“It represents the worst of a small-town politician or mayor,” said Michael Green, a University of Nevada, Las Vegas history professor. “It has to be difficult for people in her office who argue these cases — even if they share her views. If I’m on the other side, I think, ‘Yeah, you’re hurting yourself. Go for it.’”

Perhaps the most striking allegation involves Aaron Ford, the Democratic Nevada attorney general who defeated Chattah in a bitter 2022 campaign for that office. Just 18 days into her federal tenure, Chattah publicized an investigation into a broadband company, with two people briefed on the matter saying the probe was designed to implicate Ford. During that 2022 race, Chattah wrote in a leaked text message that Ford, who is Black, "should be hanging from a f------ crane."

A federal court has already ruled Chattah's appointment invalid on procedural grounds, and despite assurances to the court that she would stop supervising cases during her appeal, three sources familiar with the matter say she has continued to do so.

Staff attrition has been severe. The office, which typically employs more than 100 attorneys, is now operating at roughly two-thirds strength. The Reno branch, covering 13 of Nevada's 17 counties, is set to be left with no prosecutors at all as its final two attorneys prepare to leave.

Chattah invited MAGA lawyer Mike Davis to address her staff in Las Vegas on May 13 and made attendance mandatory, according to two sources.

“I hope that causes controversy and makes heads explode,” Davis told Steve Bannon on a podcast two days before the appearance.

“Oh my god, she’s the best,” Bannon replied. “She’s the warrior queen out in Nevada.”

The Justice Department declined to address specific allegations, saying only that the office had charged 15 percent more cases than the previous year.