At least 7 federal prosecutors quit over Trump DOJ order to drop Eric Adams case

In the wake of acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove ordering Manhattan prosecutors to drop the corruption case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Manhattan’s US Attorney and two officials who led the DOJ’s Public Integrity Section resigned from their roles.

Manhattan US Attorney Danielle R Sassoon resigned on Thursday, and when the DOJ transferred the case to the Public Integrity Section, Kevin O Driscoll and John Keller resigned. Three other lawyers in the unit resigned hours later, per the New York Times. At least seven prosecutors overall have resigned, with Hagan Scotten, who had been placed on administrative leave, handing in his resignation letter, per CNN.

In her letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi, Sassoon wrote, "I remain baffled by the rushed and superficial process by which this decision was reached, in seeming collaboration with Adams’ counsel and without my direct input on the ultimate stated rationales for dismissal. Mr. Bove admonished me to be mindful of my obligation to zealously defend the interests of the United States and to advance good-faith arguments on behalf of the Administration."

Sassoon wrote that Bove proposed "dismissing the charges against Adams in return for his assistance in enforcing the federal immigration laws," and that "Such an exchange with Adams violates commonsense beliefs in the equal administration of justice, the Justice Manual, and the Rules of Professional Conduct."

She added, "Rather than be rewarded, Adams's advocacy should be called out for what it is: an improper offer of immigration enforcement assistance in exchange for a dismissal of his case. Although Mr. Bove disclaimed any intention to exchange leniency in this case for Adams's assistance in enforcing federal law, that is the nature of the bargain laid bare in Mr. Bove's memo. That is especially so given Mr. Bove's comparison to the Bout prisoner exchange, which was quite expressly a quid pro quo, but one carried out by the White House, and not the prosecutors in charge of Bout's case."

A lawyer for Adams, Alex Spiro, told the outlet, “The idea that there was a quid pro quo is a total lie. We offered nothing and the department asked nothing of us." He added, "We were asked if the case had any bearing on national security and immigration enforcement, and we truthfully answered it did."

Bove on Thursday accepted Sassoon’s resignation order, and told her that other prosecutors who had worked with her on the case would be placed on administrative leave because they also would not comply with his order. Bove said that Sassoon and the other attorneys would be investigated by the attorney general and the DOJ’s internal investigative arm.

Adams was indicted on federal criminal charges in September 2024 after an investigation over alleged illegal foreign campaign donations and gifts from Turkey in the form of plane tickets and luxurious hotel stays. He was handed down five counts, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, federal program bribery, to receive campaign contributions by foreign nationals, wire fraud, solicitation of a contribution by a foreign national, and bribery. Adams has maintained his innocence amid the allegations.