Prosecutors Resign Following DOJ’s Move to Drop Eric Adams Case

Clear Facts

• The Department of Justice ordered the dismissal of corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, leading to the resignation of at least seven federal prosecutors.
• Acting U.S. Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove cited Adams’ cooperation with the Trump administration as a reason for dropping the charges.
• Prosecutors, including Danielle Sassoon and Hagan Scotten, resigned in protest, alleging improper influence and a potential quid pro quo.

In a move that has sent shockwaves through the legal community, the Department of Justice’s decision to drop corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams has led to the resignation of at least seven federal prosecutors. This unprecedented wave of resignations is reminiscent of the historical “Saturday Night Massacre” during the Nixon era, where political interference led to a dramatic shakeup within the Justice Department.

The controversy began when acting U.S. Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove, who previously served as a defense attorney for President Trump, ordered the dismissal of charges against Adams. These charges, initially filed last fall, accused the mayor of corruption. Bove’s justification for this decision included Adams’ willingness to collaborate with the Trump administration on issues related to immigration and crime policy.

This decision has sparked concerns that political figures aligned with the White House might be receiving undue leniency. The order to dismiss the charges also left open the possibility of refiling them in the future, placing Adams in a precarious position. The mayor’s subsequent meeting with Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, where he agreed to allow immigration officials access to Rikers Island, added fuel to the fire of speculation.

The resignations began with Danielle Sassoon, the acting U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York. In a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi, Sassoon detailed a meeting where Adams’ attorneys allegedly proposed a quid pro quo, suggesting that Adams would assist with the Department’s priorities only if the indictment were dismissed. Sassoon’s concerns were dismissed, and her request for a direct meeting with Bondi was declined.

Sassoon’s letter also revealed that her office was preparing additional charges against Adams based on evidence of obstruction and providing false information to the FBI. Her resignation was followed by that of John Keller, the acting head of the Public Integrity Section, and several others who refused to comply with the order to drop the case.

The situation reached a boiling point when Hagan Scotten, the lead prosecutor on the case, resigned. In his resignation letter, Scotten stated, “any federal prosecutor would know that our laws and traditions do not allow using the prosecutorial power to influence other citizens, much less elected officials.” He further criticized the lack of legal counsel willing to stand up to the President’s directives.

Adding a layer of complexity, Sassoon is a registered Republican and a member of the Federalist Society, distancing her from any claims of partisan bias against the Trump administration. Her background includes clerking for Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, underscoring her conservative credentials.

As the dust settles, this case presents a significant point of interest for those concerned about potential politicization within the federal justice system. The unfolding events may offer a narrative of a “weaponized” justice system, further fueling the ongoing debate over the integrity of law enforcement in the political arena.

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