Three federal prosecutors resigned in protest, accusing the Justice Department of pressuring them to admit fault in prosecuting New York City Mayor Eric Adams.
The New York Post reported that on Tuesday, Celia Cohen, Andrew Rohrbach, and Derek Wikstrom stepped down from the Southern District of New York, alleging political interference by DOJ officials loyal to President Trump. Their bold stand underscores a troubling clash between justice and politics.
The resignations came as the DOJ pushed to dismiss corruption charges against Adams, who was indicted for accepting travel bribes from Turkish nationals.
This followed a pattern, with five prosecutors, including lead prosecutor Hagan Scotten, exiting the Southern District since February 2025.
Adams has denied any wrongdoing, claiming the charges were retaliation for his criticism of Biden’s border policies. His legal team argued that Williams pursued the case to boost his political ambitions, citing an op-ed Williams wrote after leaving office. The mayor’s defiance resonates with conservatives skeptical of politicized prosecutions.
The controversy intensified when DOJ officials Todd Blanche and Emil Bove, both former Trump defense lawyers, led efforts to quash Adams’ case.
Prosecutors alleged Blanche demanded they express regret for the case to keep their jobs, a claim he denied. Blanche insisted on April 22, 2025, that dismissing the case was neither illegal nor unethical.
“There was nothing illegal or unethical about the Department of Justice dismissing the flawed prosecution against Mayor Adams,” Blanche said. He called suggestions of impropriety by former prosecutors “wrong and disingenuous.” His defense reflects a broader push to restore integrity to federal agencies, a key conservative priority.
The resigning prosecutors, in a one-page letter, condemned the DOJ’s actions. “We will not confess wrongdoing when there was none,” they wrote. They accused the DOJ under Trump of prioritizing obedience over legal and ethical duties.
“The DOJ under President Trump has decided that obedience supersedes all else, requiring us to abdicate our legal and ethical obligations,” the prosecutors stated. “That is wrong.” Their resolute stance highlights the integrity that many conservatives demand from public servants.
Prior to resigning, Cohen, Rohrbach, and Wikstrom were placed on administrative leave, signaling internal tensions.
Cohen had prosecuted mob cases, while Rohrbach helped convict Ghislaine Maxwell, underscoring their prosecutorial experience. Their exits coincided with Jay Clayton’s first day as interim Southern District head on April 22, 2025.
Former interim head Danielle Sassoon also resigned, accusing the White House of orchestrating a “quid pro quo” deal. She claimed Adams agreed to Trump’s immigration demands to secure dismissal of his case. This allegation points to a troubling politicization of justice, a concern for conservatives wary of government overreach.
In recent weeks, Adams agreed to reinstate a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office on Rikers Island, aligning with demands from Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan.
This move suggests a pragmatic compromise, reflecting conservative priorities on border security. Yet, it fueled accusations of a political bargain.
Judge Dale Ho, overseeing the case, issued a 78-page ruling condemning the DOJ’s actions. “Everything here smacks of a bargain: dismissal of the indictment in exchange for immigration policy concessions,” Ho wrote. His ruling raises questions about the integrity of federal interventions.
Ho also defended the Southern District prosecutors, stating they followed all Justice Department guidelines. “There is no evidence, zero, that they had any improper motives,” he said. This vindication bolsters the prosecutors’ claims of unjust pressure.
The resignations and rulings have sparked outrage among conservatives who see the DOJ’s actions as undermining impartial justice.
The prosecutors’ refusal to bow to pressure resonates with those who value principle over political expediency. Their stand aligns with the MAGA movement’s call for accountability in government.