Pam Bondi's Order to Dismiss Eric Adams' Indictment Has Triggered 3 Times More Legal Resignations Than the Watergate Scandal
www.latintimes.com
Other legal experts have drawn comparisons to past instances of executive overreach, such as the firing of FBI Director James Comey during Trump's first term

Summary

The Justice Department’s decision to dismiss bribery charges against NYC Mayor Eric Adams has led to a wave of resignations, tripling those of the 1973 “Saturday Night Massacre.”

Six senior officials, including Manhattan U.S. Attorney Danielle Sassoon, stepped down in protest, citing concerns over political interference.

Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove ordered the dismissal, arguing the case was “weaponization” of the justice system.

Legal experts see parallels to past executive overreach, raising alarm over the independence of the Southern District of New York.

  • perestroika@lemm.ee
    53·
    6 days ago

    Came here to post the Reuters article “US prosecutors formally ask judge to drop case against NY mayor Eric Adams”, but saw that it’s already posted.

    I’ll just quote a part from the other article and add some comments about it:

    “The pending prosecution has unduly restricted Mayor Adams’ ability to devote full attention and resources to … illegal immigration and violent crime,” Bove, Trump’s former personal lawyer and a political appointee, wrote in the memo seen by Reuters.

    Essentially, they are sending a letter to a court of law saying “we’re playing politics, don’t distract us with your laws”. I think that should be named “political corruption” and “obstruction of justice”.

    Fortunately not everyone was spineless:

    “I am confident that Adams has committed the crimes with which he is charged,” Sassoon wrote on Wednesday in a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi seen by Reuters. “I cannot agree to seek a dismissal driven by improper considerations.”

    My viewpoint:

    • resignation is not the best way to deal with a fascist takeover, resistance would be better (and every political firing of a resisting prosecutor should come with a court case attached)
    • letting politicians directly influence prosecutors (to stop cases before they go to court) presents massive opportunities for political corruption
    • fortunately this case has already gone to court, so next they will be putting pressure on the judge, who is better protected against influence
    • if corruption trials should become unfeasible, or feasible only for unimportant or opposition-minded persons, there’s not much point in having a legal system