DOJ moves to drop Eric Adams charges after 7 prosecutors resign
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New York City Mayor Eric Adams arrives at the U.S. Federal Courthouse on Nov. 1 in New York City. Photo: Stephanie Keith/Getty Images
The Justice Department on Friday evening moved to drop bribery and fraud charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams.
Why it matters: At least seven prosecutors resigned this week rather than obey a DOJ order to withdraw the indictment, with some criticizing department leadership for making the decision for political rather than legal reasons.
- Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove reportedly pulled the DOJ's remaining public integrity prosecutors into a room and warned them that if one didn't agree to file the motion dismissing the charges within an hour, they could all be fired.
Driving the news: Two prosecutors ultimately did file the request with Judge Dale E. Ho asking for a dismissal of the case "without prejudice," meaning the charges could later be reinstated.
- The request, signed by Bove, argues the indictment interferes with the mayor's ability to do his job, including with regard to immigration.
- They also said they find the dismissal necessary "because of appearances of impropriety and risks of interference with the 2025 elections in New York City," per the letter.
- Judges have little leeway to deny such requests, though Ho had repeatedly denied Adams' efforts to dismiss the case, the NYT reports.
State of play: The request follows the resignations of at least seven top prosecutors in New York City and Washington, D.C., all of whom refused to follow the DOJ's order.
- Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove asked prosecutors on Monday to drop Adams' charges, which Trump has cast as political persecution much like the criminal cases against himself.
- Bove justified the decision in part because withdrawing the charges would make it more likely that Adams would comply with the Trump administration's immigration policies, according to two of the resignation letters.
- Adams then appeared in two joint interviews with Trump's immigration czar, Tom Homan, and promised to do just that.
Flashback: Adams in September became the first NYC mayor to face criminal charges while serving in office.
- He was indicted on charges of bribery and fraud following a federal investigation that his campaign illegally conspired with foreign businesspeople and Turkish officials.
- He had denied all accusations and pleaded not guilty. He was scheduled to go to trial in April.
What they're saying: The DOJ order "allowed the Department of Justice to continue to bring those charges back and effectively, seemingly were designed to keep Eric Adams on a short leash," House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) told Spectrum News earlier Friday.
- "That's a very troubling situation."
- Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) said on X Adams must be removed, if he won't resign, also before the DOJ dismissed his case.
- New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has the power to remove the mayor from his role. She said Friday that she needed time to weigh the situation.
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