The Justice Department is facing a crisis following the resignation of the acting US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Danielle Sassoon, and five other senior officials. The resignations stem from a controversial decision to halt the prosecution of New York City Mayor Eric Adams on corruption charges. This incident has raised concerns about political influence within the Justice Department under the new administration.
The controversy echoes the Saturday Night Massacre during the Watergate era and highlights the tension between the administration’s stated goal of ending the “weaponization” of justice and critics’ fears that it is being perpetuated.
Sassoon’s resignation letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi details allegations of political interference. She claims the mayor’s attorneys proposed a quid pro quo: Adams would support the administration’s hardline immigration policies in exchange for the charges being dropped. Sassoon stated the DOJ’s order to dismiss the case conflicted with her duty to prosecute crimes “without fear or favor.”
An attorney for Adams denied the quid pro quo allegation, stating they merely answered prosecutors’ questions about the case’s relevance to national security and immigration enforcement.
Sassoon’s resignation appears to be a principled stand against the politicization of justice. Her claims provide new context to a previous DOJ memo justifying the dismissal. The memo argued the prosecution hindered Adams’ ability to address illegal immigration and violent crime, issues the administration considers priorities. This rationale is unusual as it suggests the case was dropped based on political considerations, not the strength of the evidence.
The acting deputy attorney general, Emil Bove, a former member of the president’s legal team, responded to Sassoon’s accusations with a brusque letter. He accused her of pursuing a “politically motivated prosecution” despite instructions to dismiss the case.
Adams, facing reelection, was indicted on charges of bribery, wire fraud, conspiracy, and soliciting campaign contributions from foreign nationals in exchange for political favors. He denies any wrongdoing and claims the prosecution was politically motivated retaliation for his criticism of the previous administration’s immigration policies – a claim echoed by the current administration.
The administration’s handling of the Adams case raises questions about its commitment to depoliticizing the Justice Department. Critics argue that political considerations, rather than legal ones, are driving prosecutorial decisions.
The controversy also throws the future of the DOJ’s attempt to dismiss the case into uncertainty. Judge Dale Ho, who must approve the dismissal, will likely be aware of these developments.
Sassoon resigned preemptively, before Bove could fire her. However, the DOJ will face difficulty portraying her as a politically motivated critic given her strong conservative credentials and recent appointment by the president. She clerked for the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, citing him as a mentor who instilled in her the importance of upholding the rule of law.
The president denied ordering the DOJ to dismiss the indictment against Adams, claiming ignorance of the situation. However, the exchange of letters between Sassoon and Bove, and the strong language used, suggests the Adams case could escalate into a major scandal.
In her letter, Sassoon argues the DOJ lacks a valid reason for dismissing the case, asserts the evidence against Adams is substantial, and warns the dismissal will increase concerns about the weaponization of the department. She emphasizes her oath to faithfully discharge the duties of her office, stating arguing for dismissal would violate that oath.
Sassoon criticizes Bove’s argument that the case should be dismissed due to Adams’ potential assistance with immigration enforcement. She finds it alarming that a public official could evade corruption charges based on their position and willingness to support the administration’s policies.
Following Sassoon’s resignation, Bove assigned the case to the public integrity section at DOJ headquarters. This reportedly led to the resignation of Kevin Driscoll, the section’s top career prosecutor, John Keller, the acting head of the office, and potentially three other prosecutors.
These resignations evoke the Saturday Night Massacre during the Watergate scandal. The events raise serious concerns about potential corruption within the Justice Department.
The controversy surrounding the Adams case is unusual due to the clear signs of potential political weaponization within official DOJ communications. Bove’s letter criticizes Sassoon for suggesting she has discretion to interpret the Constitution in a manner inconsistent with the president’s policies. However, the DOJ traditionally maintains independence from the White House to avoid the appearance of political bias. A prosecutor’s duty is to the Constitution and the impartial administration of justice, not to a president’s political agenda.
