The granite steps leading up to the old federal courthouse in downtown Los Angeles are sturdy and stately. But on Friday, something disturbing happened to them that I never expected:

Ash.

The Eaton Fire, 15 miles northeast, is still raging. The city center was eerily empty. The sun was shining brightly during lunch, turning everything a sickly golden color.

I went there to interview American lawyers. E. Martin Estrada is expected to announce on Monday that he will resign on Friday as superintendent of the Central District of California, which prosecutes federal crimes in coastal counties from San Luis Obispo to Orange .

He was supposed to reveal his plans early last week. But he delayed action as the most destructive wildfires in Los Angeles history brought a sad end to his 2 1/2 years as Southern California's top federal prosecutor.

Members of his team lost their homes in Pacific Palisades and Altadena. More people had to evacuate. Drone interference with firefighting efforts is a federal crime, which means his prosecutors are prepared to bring charges if necessary. Scammers are already preying on victims — crimes that Estrada’s office prosecuted after the 2023 Monterey Park mass shooting and other local tragedies.

"If I had the courage, I would not leave, especially in a time of crisis," Estrada said from a large desk in his 12th-floor office. Two computer screens glowed on the standing desk behind him. "I don't like to leave things up in the air. But I really have no choice here, so I have to leave."

Even if he doesn't quit the job he calls a "labor of love," his days are numbered and Donald Trump will soon be inaugurated as president.

American lawyers typically resign when a new president takes office. They know that the incoming Commander-in-Chief usually wants a fresh start and prefers to appoint personnel from among his own crew. That's why Estrada wanted to talk to me.

A Democrat and the first U.S. attorney of Guatemalan descent, he emphasized the diversity of his office and career and made a point of speaking in both English and Spanish at press conferences. He was the kind of American lawyer who invited civil rights icon Dolores Huerta to address his team—she led them in chants of “¡if possible! ” — and regularly talks to inner-city kids about the importance of having people like them in positions like his.

This mentality is anathema to the incoming Trump administration, with Estrada admitting that politics in Washington are more "partisan" than ever.

“There’s so much fear in the community, concern about the next administration — what might happen, what might not happen,” said the son of Guatemalan immigrants. “But it’s important that people know this good work will continue.”

Estrada sounds earnest, even sad, befitting his slender frame and boyish appearance. I also know not to underestimate his insight. After all, the man's record against criminals of all kinds speaks for itself. His prosecutors won a conviction on corruption charges against Los Angeles political titan Mark Ridley-Thomas (Ridley-Thomas is appealing) and secured a victory over former Los Angeles City Councilman Jose Huiza. Jose Huizar and former Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do. Estrada praised his team for going after white supremacist gangs, fentanyl traffickers, environmental polluters and other villains without favoring any political party or ideology.

"So I really think this work is going to continue because we've done it and we've gotten it done," he said.

Would the 47-year-old remain in his job if Trump asked him to?

"Yes, I do." He answered without hesitation. "But it's clear that based on the political conditions in Washington, D.C., that's not going to happen."

Will this make him unhappy?

"I've been through different administrations, Republican and Democratic," Estrada said. "I see what people are going through. So I firmly believe the culture here is to do the right thing for the right reason. I hope the new administration looks at what's going on, sees the work that's been done, and says, 'I agree, We have to support this.'"

Any advice for his successor?

"Look at the work that's been done, listen to the community, look at the needs of this community. I think that will lead you down a similar path to what I did."

After several weeks off to indulge his passion for running and cycling, Estrada plans to return to private practice, where he worked for eight years before President Biden appointed him in 2022. Before that, he was a prosecutor in the office he now leads. Going forward, he hopes to focus on civil rights cases because “it’s in my blood — like, I can’t not do this.”

Currently, there is still one last week of work. He teased a "big announcement" about the case but declined to elaborate, instead smiling.

“My philosophy has always been like running,” Estrada said. "I've always been a racer. Finish the tape."

He glanced at public affairs officer Ciaran McEvoy, who had watched silently throughout our half-hour conversation.

"They'll be happy to see me go," he said of his staff. "I'm like the Energizer Bunny."

He and McEvoy met when they were in fourth grade at St. John the Baptist Catholic School in Costa Mesa.

"No one would accuse Martin of being lazy," McEvoy deadpanned, drawing laughter from his boss.

“We accomplished a lot,” Estrada replied. "I'd love to be there to help continue to develop some of the junior lawyers and make sure they're on the right path. But I'm confident they'll get there."

I looked through all the memorabilia that had yet to be boxed and asked which one best represented his time as an American lawyer. He pointed to three photos of himself with Huerta, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas and Biden.

Estrada eventually zeroed in on a framed letter from a student at Spahn School on Utah Street in Boyle Heights, which he had visited for years. It had their signatures, a smiling flower and a note of thanks and congratulations.

“That’s important to me — not just my personal legacy, not just what people say about me, but having a real impact on people’s lives,” he said. “I truly believe the work of this office will have an impact on people’s lives.”

He filed the Conception case. In 2019, a dive boat caught fire near Santa Cruz Island, killing 34 people in the worst maritime disaster in modern California history. In 2023, federal prosecutors won a federal jury conviction that found Captain Jerry Boylan guilty of gross negligence. The judge sentenced Boylan to four years in prison (he remains at large on appeal).

Estrada met with the victims' families "more than six times" and he particularly remembered one mother who spoke only Spanish.

"I talked to her many times about losing her daughter," he said. "I want to hire people who reflect the diversity of the field. I want that impact to last for many years to come."

We shook hands. The sky outside seemed smokier than before. Estrada again mentioned the wildfires and how they colored his last few weeks and made him proud of the people he worked with and the people he was leaving behind.

“They really came together. They told their affected colleagues, ‘Come live with me’ or ‘What do you need? "This reminds us: Our people are not tycoons," he said. "They are members of the community, just like the people they serve. It's a beautiful thing."

The U.S. attorney in Southern California took the next five days off and returned to work at a standing desk.