February 14, 2025 — Hagan Scotten, a decorated federal prosecutor leading the corruption case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, resigned in dramatic fashion on Friday, blasting the Trump Justice Department’s “unlawful” directive to drop the charges as a politically motivated “dismissal-with-leverage” scheme. His fiery resignation letter, addressed to Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove, accused the DOJ of weaponizing prosecutorial power to pressure Adams into supporting President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown—a move Scotten called a betrayal of legal ethics and democratic norms.
Scotten’s resignation marked the seventh departure from the DOJ this week over the escalating controversy, which began Monday when Bove ordered federal prosecutors to abandon the case against Adams “without prejudice”—leaving the door open to revive charges post-election. The order cited Adams’ potential cooperation with Trump’s immigration agenda as justification, a rationale Scotten condemned as a “transparently pretextual” abuse of power.
The Resignation That Shook Washington
In his one-page letter, Scotten—a Harvard Law graduate, Bronze Star recipient, and Army Special Forces veteran—wrote that no prosecutor with integrity could comply with the DOJ’s “dismissal-with-leverage” strategy. “Any assistant U.S. 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,” he declared. He further warned Bove that the administration would eventually find “someone who is enough of a fool, or enough of a coward, to file your motion. But it was never going to be me”.
Scotten’s exit followed the resignation of Acting U.S. Attorney Danielle Sassoon, who stepped down Thursday after refusing to dismiss the case. Sassoon, a Trump appointee, accused Adams’ legal team of proposing a “quid pro quo” during negotiations, suggesting the mayor would assist Trump’s immigration policies only if the indictment were dropped. Her departure triggered a wave of resignations, including senior DOJ officials John Keller and Kevin Driscoll, who also rejected the order as unethical.
The Adams Case: Allegations and Political Firestorm
Adams, a Democrat running for re-election in June, was indicted in September 2024 on charges of bribery, wire fraud, and soliciting illegal campaign donations from Turkish officials. Prosecutors alleged he accepted over $123,000 in luxury travel perks and expedited the opening of a Turkish consulate in Manhattan in exchange for favors. Adams has denied all charges, calling the case a “political hit job”.
The case took a sharp turn this week when Bove—a former Trump personal attorney—ordered its dismissal, arguing the prosecution hindered Adams’ ability to collaborate on immigration enforcement. Internal DOJ memos revealed the administration sought to leverage the dismissal to secure Adams’ support for policies like deportations and ICE access to city jails, a move critics likened to “extortion”.
Fallout and Calls for Accountability
The resignations have plunged the DOJ into crisis, with legal experts warning the scandal could irreparably damage public trust. “This isn’t just about Adams—it’s about whether the Justice Department can function without becoming a political tool,” said a former senior DOJ official, who called the episode “jaw-dropping”.
Meanwhile, pressure mounts on New York Governor Kathy Hochul to remove Adams from office. While Hochul has resisted “kneejerk” actions, lawmakers like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez argue Adams is “compromised” and unfit to govern 4. The mayor’s Fox News appearance alongside Trump’s border czar, Thomas Homan, further fueled backlash. Homan threatened to “be back in New York City… up [Adams’] butt” if cooperation falters, a remark that drew condemnation from immigrant advocates.
Scotten’s Legacy and the Road Ahead
Scotten, known for prosecuting high-profile corruption cases, including that of Adams’ ally “Bling Bishop” Lamor Whitehead, leaves behind a reputation as a “cowboy” prosecutor unafraid of political pushback. His colleagues praised his principled stand, while Adams’ camp dismissed him as a “risk-taker” whose cases often crumble under scrutiny.
The DOJ now faces a critical decision: Will Bove sign the dismissal motion himself, risking judicial rebuke, or abandon the effort? Judge Dale Ho, overseeing the case, could demand a hearing to probe the DOJ’s motives—a scenario Scotten’s letter warned would expose the administration’s “pretextual” reasoning.
As the 2025 mayoral primary looms, Adams’ fate hinges on both legal and political battles. With seven prosecutors gone and transparency demands growing, the scandal underscores a deepening rift between career officials and Trump’s DOJ—one that could redefine the boundaries of prosecutorial independence.
This report synthesizes verified accounts from The New York Times, NPR, CNN, Forbes, and other cited sources. For ongoing updates, follow official DOJ statements and court filings in United States v. Eric Adams, 24 Cr. (DEH).
