In an escalation of tensions within the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove has placed several prosecutors from the Southern District of New York (SDNY) on administrative leave and accepted the resignation of Acting U.S. Attorney Danielle Sassoon.
The move comes after Sassoon and her team refused to comply with a directive to dismiss the high-profile prosecution of New York City Mayor Eric Adams, citing concerns over the politicization of the case and its impact on public safety.
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The dispute centers on the DOJ’s determination that the prosecution of Mayor Adams, who faces charges related to alleged corruption, was tainted by political motivations and improper conduct by former SDNY U.S. Attorney Damian Williams.
In a scathing letter to Sassoon, Bove accused her and her team of insubordination and misconduct, stating that their refusal to dismiss the case undermined the policies of President Donald Trump and Attorney General Matthew Whitaker.
“Your refusal to recognize the weaponization of this prosecution and comply with my directive has only exacerbated the concerns I raised initially,” Bove wrote. “The Justice Department will not tolerate insubordination and apparent misconduct.”
Bove’s letter outlined multiple concerns about the handling of the Adams case, including allegations that the investigation was accelerated after Mayor Adams publicly criticized President Joe Biden’s immigration policies. Bove also pointed to the conduct of former U.S. Attorney Damian Williams, who he accused of politicizing the case by launching a personal website that highlighted his prosecution of high-profile figures, including Adams.
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“The actions by the former U.S. Attorney implicate the concerns that President Trump raised in Executive Order 14147, in connection with the prosecution of an elected official who voiced opposition to the prior administration’s policies,” Bove wrote. “The Justice Department will not ignore the fact that the timing of charges authorized by a former U.S. Attorney with apparent political aspirations interferes with Mayor Adams’ ability to govern and campaign.”
Bove also emphasized that the ongoing prosecution has hindered Mayor Adams’ ability to address critical issues in New York City, including illegal immigration and violent crime.
“Mayor Adams has been denied a security clearance that limits his access to details of national security issues in the City he was elected to govern and protect,” Bove wrote. “This situation is unacceptable and directly endangers the lives of millions of New Yorkers.”
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As a result of their refusal to comply with the DOJ’s directive, Assistant U.S. Attorneys Hagan Scotten and Derek Wikstrom, the lead prosecutors on the Adams case, have been placed on administrative leave pending investigations by the Office of the Attorney General and the Office of Professional Responsibility. The investigations will also review Sassoon’s conduct, with the possibility of further disciplinary action, including termination.
“This leave status will remain in effect until further notice,” Bove wrote. “This is not a disciplinary or adverse action, and the AUSAs will continue to receive full salary and benefits during administrative leave.”
Bove confirmed that the DOJ will now take over the prosecution of Mayor Adams and file a motion to dismiss the charges under Rule 48 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure. “The Justice Department will not ignore the fact that the timing of charges authorized by a former U.S. Attorney with apparent political aspirations interferes with Mayor Adams’ ability to run a campaign in the 2025 election,” Bove wrote.
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The clash between the DOJ and the SDNY highlights the ongoing tensions within the federal government over the independence of prosecutors and the role of political influence in law enforcement.
The DOJ’s motion to dismiss the charges against Mayor Adams is expected to be filed in the coming days. Meanwhile, the investigations into the conduct of Sassoon, Scotten, and Wikstrom will proceed, with the potential for further disciplinary action.
As the fallout from this high-profile dispute continues, it raises fundamental questions about the balance between prosecutorial independence and political accountability in the U.S. justice system.
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