DOJ Slashes Corruption Unit, Transfers Cases Nationwide \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ The Justice Department is drastically reducing its Public Integrity Section, transferring its corruption cases to U.S. attorney’s offices nationwide. The move follows the resignation of top prosecutors after the DOJ dropped charges against New York Mayor Eric Adams. Once home to high-profile investigations, the unit may retain as few as five attorneys. Critics see this as part of Trump’s broader effort to weaken government oversight.
DOJ Public Integrity Section Quick Looks
- Major Downsizing: The DOJ’s Public Integrity Section will be reduced from 30 to as few as 5 attorneys.
- Case Transfers: Corruption cases will be reassigned to U.S. attorney’s offices across the country.
- Leadership Exodus: Five senior officials resigned last month after the DOJ dropped corruption charges against NYC Mayor Eric Adams.
- Trump Administration’s Role: Seen as part of broader efforts to dismantle government watchdog agencies.
- Past Notable Prosecutors: The unit has been home to figures like Eric Holder, Rod Rosenstein, and Jack Smith.
- Election Crimes Impact: The unit also handled campaign finance violations and election threats, raising concerns over enforcement.
Deep Look
The Justice Department’s Public Integrity Section, a division tasked with investigating public corruption, is undergoing major reductions, with its cases being reassigned to U.S. attorney’s offices nationwide. This move, announced internally on Tuesday, has sparked concerns about the future of federal corruption enforcement.
At the end of the Biden administration, the unit had around 30 prosecutors. Now, sources indicate that as few as five attorneys may remain. The downsizing follows the resignation of multiple top officials after the controversial dismissal of corruption charges against New York Mayor Eric Adams.
Why Is the DOJ Gutting Its Corruption Unit?
According to two sources familiar with the matter, the Public Integrity Section’s staff reductions are part of an effort to shift its responsibilities to regional prosecutors. However, many see it as a move orchestrated by the Trump administration to weaken federal oversight of corruption cases.
A Justice Department spokesperson stated that leadership is conducting a “broad review” of agency resources but emphasized that no final decisions have been made. However, prosecutors have already been informed of potential reassignments, signaling an imminent overhaul of the unit.
“This appears to be part of a broader effort to dismantle key government oversight mechanisms,” said one legal analyst.
The Adams Case and DOJ Resignations
The Public Integrity Section has been in turmoil since Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove ordered the dismissal of corruption charges against New York Mayor Eric Adams, a Democrat. The decision led to a mass resignation of the unit’s senior leadership, including:
- The acting chief
- Three deputy chiefs
- A deputy assistant attorney general overseeing the section
Bove reportedly pressured prosecutors to sign off on dropping the case, offering promotions to those who complied. When no one agreed, a veteran prosecutor ultimately signed the motion out of concern for younger colleagues’ job security.
The resignation of five top officials left the unit leaderless, further fueling speculation that the downsizing is part of a broader political effort rather than an administrative reorganization.
A Pattern of Weakening Corruption Oversight?
The decision to reduce the Public Integrity Section follows other controversial moves by the Justice Department under Trump’s leadership, including:
- Pausing enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which prevents U.S. companies from bribing foreign governments.
- Dismissing high-profile corruption cases, including those against former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich and NYC Mayor Eric Adams.
By relocating corruption cases to regional U.S. attorney’s offices, experts warn that prosecutorial consistency and oversight could be weakened, making it harder to investigate powerful politicians and officials.
What This Means for Election Crimes and Political Corruption
In addition to prosecuting public officials for corruption, the Public Integrity Section was responsible for overseeing election-related crimes, such as:
- Voter fraud investigations
- Campaign finance violations
- Threats against election workers
Under the Biden administration, the unit played a key role in election security, particularly as threats against election officials increased. Now, with only a handful of attorneys left, it remains unclear who will oversee these cases moving forward.
A Unit with a Storied Past
The Public Integrity Section was created in 1976 in the wake of Watergate, with the goal of holding government officials accountable for corruption. Over the decades, it has been home to several high-profile prosecutors, including:
- Eric Holder (Former U.S. Attorney General)
- Rod Rosenstein (Former Deputy Attorney General)
- Jack Smith (Special Counsel who investigated Trump)
However, the unit has not been without controversy. In 2009, the botched prosecution of Alaska Senator Ted Stevens led to a federal judge dismissing the case, citing prosecutorial misconduct. The scandal damaged the section’s credibility, but it was rebuilt under Jack Smith in 2010, leading to a new wave of high-profile corruption prosecutions.
Among its notable cases:
- Former Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell (R) – Convicted of bribery, later overturned by the Supreme Court.
- Former Senator John Edwards (D) – Indicted for campaign finance violations, later acquitted.
Despite mixed success in court, the section remained one of the DOJ’s most respected and feared divisions—until now.
What’s Next?
With Trump’s Justice Department shifting corruption cases elsewhere, legal experts warn that investigations into public officials may become less aggressive. While U.S. attorney’s offices will still prosecute corruption, their priorities differ depending on regional politics and available resources.
“This will likely make corruption investigations more fragmented and inconsistent,” said one former DOJ official.
As the Trump administration continues to reshape federal law enforcement, the fate of high-profile public integrity cases remains uncertain.
For now, the gutting of the Public Integrity Section marks yet another dramatic shift in how the federal government handles political corruption and election crimes.
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