The Justice Department has requested the dismissal of corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, leading to resignations within the prosecutor’s office.
Federal prosecutors in Manhattan initially resisted the directive to drop the case, prompting some to quit in protest over concerns about integrity and the rule of law.
The big picture: Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove, along with officials from various departments, filed paperwork to end the corruption case, stating it was tainted by appearances of impropriety and could interfere with Adams’ reelection campaign.
- The move came after a call where Bove gave prosecutors an hour to choose two people to sign onto the motion to dismiss, causing tensions within the department.
- The dismissal motion was signed by Bove and other officials, but no one from the federal prosecutor’s office in Manhattan, which initiated the Adams case, signed the document.
- The Justice Department’s request for dismissal mentioned potential interference with public safety, national security, and federal immigration policies if the case against Adams continued.
Driving the news: Adams, who pleaded not guilty to accepting illegal campaign contributions, denied any quid pro quo in exchange for the charges being dropped, emphasizing that he did not offer any trade of his mayoral authority.
- Several prosecutors in Manhattan and Washington resigned rather than carry out Bove’s directive, showing a clash between the Justice Department leadership in Washington and its Manhattan office.
- Adams’ case had implications beyond just corruption charges, with political influence, presidential involvement, and concerns over misuse of prosecutorial power highlighted in the ongoing controversy.
