'I view public service as a gift': U.S. Attorney Eric Olshan stepping down

Every day after the close of testimony in the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting trial — no matter how emotional or gruesome the evidence — U.S. Attorney Eric Olshan and the team of prosecutors met with the victims and family members.

They answered their questions, explained the intricacies of the legal system and provided reassurance in the process.

“They were so meticulous in making sure this case was tried to honor our loved ones and those who were injured,” said Michele Rosenthal, whose two brothers were killed in the Oct. 27, 2018, attack in Squirrel Hill. “They were not only doing their job, but they went above and beyond, and that was under Eric’s leadership.

“It was an honor to have him lead this team.”

On Thursday in an interview with TribLive, Olshan called his work in that case, in which 11 people were killed at Tree of Life synagogue, the most meaningful he’d ever been a part of — a privilege.

“The greatest honor of my career has been the work I did with the team of people in the Tree of Life case,” he said, citing the attorneys, investigators, support staff, victims and their family members. “It is tremendously meaningful to see something that arose out of such tragedy and trauma to its conclusion — and have the trust and support of the victims and community throughout.”

Olshan, 43, announced on Wednesday that he would be stepping down as U.S. attorney — an expected step when presidential administrations change.

His resignation takes effect just before midnight on Jan. 20, when First Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy Rivetti will take over as acting U.S. attorney.

Olshan, who has had only one employer his entire professional career — the U.S. Department of Justice — said he will take some time to figure out his next steps professionally.

He expects to remain in Pittsburgh and move into the private sector.

“I view public service as a gift, and I am so grateful to have the 17 years I spent,” he said.

The greatest impact

Olshan began his career with DOJ through the Attorney General’s Honors Program in 2007.

For 10 years, he worked as a member of the criminal division’s Public Integrity Section in Washington, D.C., as both a trial attorney and deputy chief. In those roles, he worked on long-term complex investigations, including campaign finance violations, obstruction of justice and unlawful disclosure of national defense information.

He joined the U.S. Attorney’s office in Pittsburgh in 2017 focusing on white collar prosecution and served as the chief of the economic/cyber/national security crimes section.

Olshan, who grew up in North Carolina, was nominated to become U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania in March 2023 and was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on June 8, 2023 — in the middle of the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting trial.

Rosenthal, who attended nearly every day of the months-long trial, said Olshan carried himself with confidence. He was always professional and prepared, she said, but also genuine and understanding.

“He was always there — no matter how hard the day was,” she said.

Stephen R. Kaufman, who retired from the office last spring after 33 years, said that even though Olshan was confirmed in the middle of the trial, he never thought about stepping away from the case.

“He was completely committed to the case, completely committed to the victims,” Kaufman said. “I don’t think it ever occurred to him to lessen his responsibilities.”

He fulfilled the mission all the way to sentencing.

‘Always more you can do’

On Wednesday, the investigation and prosecution team from the synagogue shooting were honored by the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., with the Attorney General’s David Margolis Award for Exceptional Service — the highest award given by the department.

During his tenure, Olshan said the office prioritized fighting violent crime and narcotics — including ghost guns and Glock switches — or machine gun converter kits.

“The fentanyl epidemic is by no stretch over and will require resources to address this extremely deadly drug,” he said. “From an enforcement standpoint, there’s always more you can do.”

The idea of the U.S. Attorney’s office, which for the Western District of Pennsylvania includes 25 counties from West Virginia to New York, is to bring cases against people doing violence in the community that will have the greatest impact, Olshan said.

He praised the collaborative relationships the office has with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies.

“We have an incredible task force model,” Olshan said.

He also acknowledged the hard work required by the attorneys and staff.

“My No. 1 goal was to support the people in our office so they could do their jobs as best as they possibly could,” he said.

Under Olshan’s leadership, Kaufman said, the office also focused on civil rights work.

“He managed the office in a very effective manner,” Kaufman said.

He called Olshan approachable and open — a good listener.

“The office felt he would always listen and do what was best for the office and government,” Kaufman said.

Olshan said he expects the good work of the office — and the department — to continue under the second Trump administration.

“My motivation has always been calling balls and strikes without regard for anyone’s political allegiances, and my colleagues do the same,” he said. “That is the mindset of the public servants who work here. I have confidence in the people who do the work and confidence that they will continue to carry it out in the greatest tradition of the institution.”