Order to Drop Adams Case Prompts Resignations in New York and Washington

On Thursday, the U.S. Attorney for Manhattan, Danielle R. Sassoon, resigned instead of following an order from a top Justice Department official to drop the corruption case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams. The case was then transferred to Washington’s Public Integrity Section, which oversees corruption cases, but the two leaders of that unit, Kevin O. Driscoll and John Keller, also resigned in response, according to multiple sources.https://svtoday.org/

A few hours later, three additional lawyers from the unit followed suit, resigning as well. These resignations marked the most prominent public opposition yet to President Trump’s increasing control over the Justice Department, with the officials protesting the administration’s attempt to dismiss the charges against Adams.

Sassoon’s resignation, along with those of Driscoll and Keller, occurred rapidly on Thursday. Just days prior, Emil Bove III, the acting No. 2 official at the Justice Department, had ordered the Manhattan prosecutors to end the case against Adams. The reasoning behind this order was overtly political. Bove argued that continuing the investigation would hinder Adams’ cooperation with Trump’s immigration policies. Bove stressed that Washington officials had not assessed the case’s evidence or its legal merit.

In a remarkable letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi, Sassoon explained that Bove’s directive was inconsistent with her duty to prosecute federal crimes impartially. She emphasized that she had always seen it as her responsibility to pursue justice without favor, and that her decision to resign was based on this principle. She also accused Adams’ legal team of attempting a quid pro quo arrangement, suggesting that Adams would help with the department’s immigration policies if the charges were dropped. Adams’ lawyer, Alex Spiro, strongly denied this claim, calling it “a total lie.”

Sassoon also wrote that Bove had reprimanded one of her team members for taking notes during a meeting and ordered the notes to be collected. Sassoon’s office had also proposed adding a conspiracy charge against Adams, based on evidence suggesting he had destroyed or directed others to destroy evidence. Spiro countered that if such evidence existed, the charges would have been brought.

Bove responded with his own letter accepting Sassoon’s resignation, criticizing her handling of the case and her refusal to follow his orders. He indicated that the prosecutors involved were being placed on administrative leave and would be investigated. This internal inquiry could also scrutinize Bove’s own actions, as he had previously served as Trump’s criminal defense lawyer.

After Sassoon’s resignation, Matthew Podolsky, her deputy, was appointed acting U.S. Attorney. Meanwhile, Bove’s letter revealed an ongoing conflict between federal prosecutors in Manhattan and Justice Department officials in Washington. On Thursday afternoon, President Trump told reporters he had not requested the dismissal of the Adams case, though Bove’s letter implied that Trump had influence over the Justice Department, which has traditionally been independent from the White House.

In his letter, Bove criticized Sassoon for disobeying orders from the president and claimed that she had lost sight of the oath she took when joining the department. Bove’s memo also questioned the timing of the case’s filing, suggesting that former U.S. Attorney Damian Williams’ public comments had harmed the case’s integrity.

Meanwhile, on the same day as Sassoon’s resignation, Mayor Adams announced a shift in his policies by signing an executive order allowing federal immigration officials into the Rikers Island jail, signaling a change in the city’s sanctuary stance.

The case against Adams, who faces charges including bribery and fraud related to illegal foreign campaign donations, had been under investigation since 2021. Adams, who has pleaded not guilty, was scheduled for trial in April. However, Bove had instructed Sassoon to drop the case, pending a review after the mayoral election in November.

Sassoon, a graduate of Harvard College and Yale Law School, had been with the Southern District of New York since 2016. Her tenure included a significant role in the district’s criminal appeals unit before she was appointed interim U.S. Attorney. In her resignation email, Sassoon reflected on her honor in serving the United States and expressed pride in her colleagues.

The Southern District of New York, widely regarded as one of the most prestigious U.S. attorney offices, has long been known for its independence from political influence. Despite Bove’s directive, the case continues to raise questions about the politicization of the Justice Department under the Trump administration.