US attorney for Massachusetts to step down at end of month

U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Andrew Lelling speaks to reporters October 11, 2018 in Boston. File photo by Steve Klamkin WPRO News

BOSTON (AP) — The U.S. attorney for Massachusetts, the top federal law enforcement official in the state, announced Wednesday that he will step down at the end of the month.

Andrew Lelling, appointed by President Donald Trump in 2017, said in a statement he tendered his resignation to President Joe Biden earlier this week.

It’s not unusual for U.S. attorneys to be replaced when a new president takes office. And a senior Justice Department official told The Associated Press on Monday that all Trump appointees would be asked to resign.

Lelling started his Justice Department career in 2001 and has been in Boston since 2005.

“It has been an honor to lead this office,” he said in a statement. “Over the last 15 years, I have had the privilege of working not only with the best federal prosecutors in the country, but with the federal, state and local law enforcement officers who put themselves at risk to keep Massachusetts safe. My goal as U.S. Attorney has been to do this job without fear or outside influence, and to make clear that everyone — regardless of wealth, status, or position of authority — will be treated the same under the law.”