Six Senior Justice Department Officials Resign Amid Pressure to Drop NYC Mayor Eric Adams' Corruption Case

Danielle Sassoon, the acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York (SDNY), resigned on Thursday, February 13, 2025, alongside at least five other senior Justice Department officials. Their resignations came in protest against an order from Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove III to dismiss the corruption case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, citing concerns over political interference in prosecutorial independence.

The directive to drop the case, issued by Bove, a Trump administration appointee and former personal lawyer to President Trump, was reportedly not based on the merits of the evidence. Instead, Bove argued that the ongoing prosecution "unduly restricted" Mayor Adams' ability to assist with the administration's immigration crackdown, sparking immediate backlash from career prosecutors.

In her resignation letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi, Sassoon stated that complying with the order would be "inconsistent with my ability and duty to prosecute federal crimes without fear or favor." She further accused Mayor Adams' lawyers of having "repeatedly urged what amounted to a quid pro quo," suggesting Adams would cooperate with federal priorities if the indictment was dismissed.

Following Sassoon's departure, Kevin Driscoll, acting head of the Criminal Division, and John Keller, acting head of the Public Integrity Section, also resigned. They were joined by three other deputies – Rob Heberle, Jenn Clarke, and Marco Palmieri – and Assistant U.S. Attorney Hagan Scotten, who wrote that only a "fool" or "coward" would agree to the dismissal.

Mayor Adams was indicted last year on multiple charges, including bribery, wire fraud, and soliciting illegal foreign campaign donations, to which he has pleaded not guilty. His lawyer, Alex Spiro, vehemently denied any quid pro quo, stating, "The idea that there was a quid pro quo is a total lie. We offered nothing and the department asked nothing of us."

The mass resignations underscore growing concerns about the politicization of the Justice Department under the current administration. The Southern District of New York, often dubbed "the Sovereign District" for its historical independence from Washington, has long prided itself on its ability to pursue cases free from political influence, leading legal experts to draw parallels to historical instances of executive interference.

Danielle Sassoon, a graduate of Harvard College and Yale Law School, was reportedly preparing to add charges of obstruction of justice against Adams, alleging he destroyed evidence. Her principled stand resonated widely, with some legal observers calling her a "profile in courage," and her advice to incoming Yale Law School students, as highlighted by The Free Press, is anticipated to emphasize the critical importance of integrity and impartial justice in the legal profession.