The Department of Justice has suspended four prosecutors in the corruption case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, raising serious questions about political influence in what was meant to be an impartial legal process. Are we witnessing another politically motivated prosecution similar to the targeting of President Trump?
At a glance:
• Four Manhattan prosecutors have been suspended in the Eric Adams corruption case
• Former prosecutor Hagan Scotten resigned, calling the decision to drop charges a “serious mistake”
• DOJ officials criticized the prosecution as politically motivated
• The case is part of a pattern that appears similar to tactics used against President Trump
• The DOJ has remained silent about the reasons for the suspensions
DOJ Suspends Four Prosecutors Amid Allegations of Political Motives
The Department of Justice has placed four Manhattan prosecutors on administrative leave in connection with the federal corruption case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams. Andrew Rohrbach and Celia Cohen are the latest prosecutors to be sidelined, following the earlier suspensions of Hagan Scotten and Derek Wikstrom.
The suspensions come as top Justice Department officials Todd Blanche and Emil Bove III filed court documents criticizing the prosecution team for what they described as a “politically motivated prosecution.” These officials have used internal messages from the case’s lead prosecutors to argue that the charges against Mayor Adams were driven by political considerations rather than legitimate legal concerns.
— 4th Estate News (@IVthestate) February 11, 2025
If they’re doing to Adams what they did to Trump, then it’s no wonder he’s turning his back on his own party. It’s criminal!
Former Prosecutor Resigns in Protest, Questions Integrity of DOJ Decision
The controversy deepened when Hagan Scotten, one of the suspended prosecutors, resigned from his position in protest. Scotten issued a blistering critique of the decision to dismiss the charges against Adams, calling it a “serious mistake” that ultimately benefits President Trump’s arguments about politically motivated prosecutions.
“Any assistant US attorney would know that our laws and traditions do not allow using the prosecutorial power to influence other citizens, much less elected officials, in this way,” Scotten stated in his resignation. His departure has fueled speculation about whether the original case against Adams was legitimate or if the current dismissal is politically calculated.
Emil Bove, who previously served in the Department of Justice, has argued that the tactics used in the Adams case represent a form of prosecutorial overreach. He specifically criticized former U.S. Attorney Damian Williams, claiming Williams’ actions “threatened the integrity of the proceedings.”
Growing Concerns About “Dismissal-with-Leverage” Strategy
Legal experts are describing the DOJ’s approach to the Adams case as a “dismissal-with-leverage” strategy, potentially allowing for re-indictment at a later date. This tactic bears striking similarities to methods that have been used against President Trump, raising concerns about the weaponization of the justice system against political figures.
Williams had previously published an opinion article criticizing New York City’s leadership and created a website highlighting his achievements, actions that suggest possible political ambitions. These activities have contributed to skepticism about the original motivations behind the prosecution of Mayor Adams.
The Department of Justice has maintained silence regarding the specific reasons for placing Rohrbach and Cohen on leave. Both prosecutors have significant experience, with Rohrbach having worked on the Ghislaine Maxwell conviction and Cohen specializing in mob cases.
Judge Dale E. Ho is now considering a motion to dismiss all charges against Mayor Adams based on the evidence of alleged political motivation.
And if they do that…perhaps he’ll run for mayor again. And win.
