7 Federal Prosecutors Resign After Refusing to Drop Eric Adams Charges/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ At least seven federal prosecutors, including the acting U.S. attorney in Manhattan, have resigned after the Justice Department ordered the dismissal of corruption charges against New York Mayor Eric Adams. The stunning exodus marks a rare rebuke of the Trump administration’s DOJ leadership. Danielle R. Sassoon, the acting U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, stepped down after protesting alleged DOJ interference in the case. Other senior prosecutors, including John Keller, head of the DOJ’s Public Integrity Section, also resigned after refusing to comply. An assistant U.S. attorney assigned to the case against New York Mayor Adams, Hagan Scotten, has sent a letter of resignation after refusing an order from the Justice Department to drop the corruption charges.
DOJ Shakeup Over Adams Case: Key Takeaways
- Seven federal prosecutors, including top officials in New York and Washington, resigned after refusing to drop charges against Adams.
- Danielle R. Sassoon, acting U.S. attorney for SDNY, wrote that Adams’ lawyers suggested a quid pro quo in exchange for his cooperation with DOJ priorities.
- Attorney General Pam Bondi and Deputy AG Emil Bove ordered prosecutors to dismiss the case, citing immigration and crime enforcement priorities.
- John Keller, head of DOJ’s Public Integrity Section, and three other members also resigned, refusing to let Washington take over the case.
- Trump denied involvement but previously suggested he might pardon Adams, calling the case “unfair”.
7 Federal Prosecutors Resign After Refusing to Drop Eric Adams Charges
Deep Look: DOJ Crisis Over Adams Corruption Case
A major rift has erupted within the Department of Justice, with seven top prosecutors resigning in protest over a directive to drop the corruption case against New York Mayor Eric Adams.
At the center of the turmoil is Danielle R. Sassoon, the acting U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York (SDNY), who resigned Thursday after refusing to comply with an order from Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove to dismiss charges against Adams.
The resignations underscore a deep divide within the DOJ, with career prosecutors pushing back against perceived political interference by the Trump administration.
Why Did Prosecutors Resign?
Sassoon, in a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi, detailed a Jan. 31 meeting where Adams’ lawyers allegedly offered to support DOJ enforcement priorities—but only if the case was dropped.
“Adams’s attorneys repeatedly urged what amounted to a quid pro quo,” Sassoon wrote.
She also revealed that SDNY was preparing to file additional charges against Adams for destroying evidence and directing others to provide false information to the FBI.
DOJ officials, however, argued that pursuing the case would hinder Trump’s efforts to combat illegal immigration and violent crime—a justification that left prosecutors deeply concerned.
Who Else Resigned?
Sassoon wasn’t alone in her protest.
- John Keller, the acting head of the DOJ’s Public Integrity Section, refused to move the case to Washington and resigned.
- Kevin Driscoll, acting head of the DOJ’s Criminal Division, also stepped down after rejecting orders to dismiss the case.
- Three other members of the Public Integrity Section quit in solidarity.
- An assistant U.S. attorney assigned to the case against New York Mayor Adams, Hagan Scotten, has sent a letter of resignation after refusing an order from the Justice Department to drop the corruption charges.
The resignations send shockwaves through the DOJ, as the Public Integrity Section oversees all federal corruption cases.
DOJ Defends Its Decision, but Concerns Mount
After Sassoon’s resignation, Emil Bove issued a blistering eight-page letter, accusing SDNY of insubordination.
“The Justice Department will not tolerate the apparent misconduct in this matter,” Bove wrote.
Despite this, legal experts argue that Bove’s memo leaves the door open for DOJ to reopen the case against Adams in the future—a move that raises fears about potential political leverage being exerted over the mayor.
Trump Denies Direct Involvement—But Hints at Pardon
When asked if he ordered the case dismissed, Trump denied involvement, saying:
“No, I didn’t. I know nothing about it.”
However, Trump has previously criticized the charges against Adams and suggested he may consider a pardon.
“He was treated pretty unfairly,” Trump said in December.
Who Is Danielle Sassoon?
Sassoon’s resignation carries extra weight, as she is a conservative legal star with strong Federalist Society ties.
- Former clerk for Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia.
- Led the successful prosecution of crypto fraudster Sam Bankman-Fried.
- Respected across ideological lines for her integrity.
Columbia law professor Daniel Richman praised Sassoon, stating:
“Her resignation highlights the divide between Trump’s DOJ and serious conservatives who respect the rule of law.”
What Were the Charges Against Adams?
In September 2024, a federal indictment accused Mayor Eric Adams of:
- Accepting $100,000 worth of bribes from wealthy Turkish nationals.
- Engaging in a decade-long conspiracy involving foreign campaign contributions.
- Soliciting donations from foreign nationals in exchange for favors.
The indictment was seen as a significant corruption case, with FBI Assistant Director James Dennehy stating at the time:
“This is a sobering reminder that no one is above the law.”
What Happens Next?
- Matthew Podolsky has been appointed acting U.S. attorney for SDNY.
- Congressional leaders may launch an investigation into DOJ’s handling of the case.
- Legal experts warn that DOJ’s decision could set a precedent for future politically sensitive cases.
Final Thoughts
The mass resignations at the DOJ signal a major crisis over political interference in corruption cases.
With Trump pushing aggressive policies on crime and immigration, the Justice Department’s credibility is under intense scrutiny.
Will the Adams case resurface in the future? Or was this dismissal a sign of further political maneuvering within the DOJ?
Only time will tell.
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