Prosecutor Resigns, Criticizes Trump DOJ's Handling of Adams Case

A seventh prosecutor has resigned from the Justice Department rather than comply with the order to dismiss Mayor Eric Adams' criminal case. Hagan Scotten, an assistant US attorney in the Southern District of New York and the lead prosecutor on the case, expressed strong disapproval in his resignation letter, stating that dropping the bribery, corruption, and other charges against Adams was a "serious mistake" that would make the Mayor indebted to President Trump.

Scotten emphasized that using prosecutorial power to influence elected officials goes against legal norms and traditions. He criticized the Trump DOJ's "dismissal-with-leverage" strategy, which aimed to pressure Mayor Adams to align with Trump's immigration policies. Scotten firmly stated, "It was never going to be me."

The prosecutor, a veteran with three combat tours in Iraq as a US Army Special Forces officer, highlighted the unethical nature of leveraging charges to push political agendas. He pointed out that while Trump might view such tactics as a deal, DOJ lawyers should uphold higher standards.

Scotten's resignation followed the departure of interim Manhattan US attorney, Danielle Sassoon, who also refused to drop the case. Sassoon, a Republican and former clerk for US Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, accused Adams of agreeing to support Trump's immigration orders in exchange for dropping the charges.

In response, Trump's Acting DOJ No. 2, Emil Bove, defended the decision to prosecute Adams, claiming that dropping the case would endanger New Yorkers' lives. Bove argued that the pending prosecution hindered Adams' ability to communicate effectively with city officials and federal agencies.

Following Scotten's resignation, four prosecutors involved in the case were placed on administrative leave pending an internal investigation by the US Attorney General’s Office. The DOJ's public integrity section in DC took over the case after several prosecutors resigned in protest.

Despite the turmoil, the case against Mayor Adams remained active as of Friday, with no motion to dismiss filed. Adams has maintained his innocence, pleading not guilty to allegations of accepting $123,000 in travel perks from