By Emma Delk, The Intelligencer
WHEELING, W.Va. — From dismantling drug trafficking organizations to cracking down on COVID-19 relief fraud, William Ihlenfeld is “extremely proud” of his work as the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of West Virginia.
Ihlenfeld resigned on Jan. 20, just before President Donald Trump was inaugurated. Since he was appointed by former President Joe Biden, Ihlenfeld said his resignation was motivated by his belief it is Trump’s prerogative to appoint “whoever he wants” to be the new U.S. Attorney.
“I respect that process and so I stepped down,” Ihlenfeld said.
Ihlenfeld also resigned after his first term, which lasted from August 2010 until December 2016. He returned to the position in October 2021.
Ihlenfeld identified the evolution of the drug threat in the area as the biggest difference between his two terms.