On Tuesday, three federal prosecutors involved in the bribery case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams stepped down, alleging that they faced undue pressure from the Justice Department to confess to wrongdoing for not dismissing the case. Celia V. Cohen, Andrew Rohrbach, and Derek Wikstrom claimed they were placed on administrative leave after their refusal to seek dismissal of the charges against Adams.
that they must admit some fault and express regret to regain their positions in the Southern District of New York. They firmly rejected this notion, stating, “We will not confess wrongdoing where there was none,” highlighting their stance that they had acted correctly by not acquiescing to the demands for a case dismissal.
The prosecutors, who noted their service under multiple presidential administrations, criticized the Justice Department for allegedly favoring compliance with the Trump administration's directives above their legal duties. They emphasized the necessity for career prosecutors within the Department to uphold the Constitution and maintain public trust rather than succumb to external pressures.
These resignations are part of a larger trend, with at least ten federal prosecutors having left their positions following directives from the administration regarding the Adams case. The situation escalated shortly after President Trump assumed office, when the Justice Department initiated moves to dismiss the case against Adams, who had supported Trump’s deportation policies. Many within the legal community, including some appointed under Trump, resisted these efforts and ultimately chose to resign rather than comply with what they saw as inappropriate requests.
Notably, the fallout from the Justice Department’s strategy continued even after a New York judge eventually dismissed the case against Adams, noting that he did so to prevent the government from using potential charges as leverage against him. This development, combined with the multitude of resignations, underscores the significant ethical dilemmas faced by prosecutors in the current political climate.
9 Comments
G P Floyd Jr
I find it suspicious that so many resignations are happening at once. It seems coordinated, and that raises a red flag.
Martin L King
It’s refreshing to see career prosecutors who value their principles more than their jobs. They are the true heroes in this story.
G P Floyd Jr
I can’t believe the Justice Department would pressure them like this. They deserve kudos for standing their ground!
Martin L King
The political influence over legal duties is appalling. These prosecutors made the right choice for their integrity.
Habibi
This case shows how critical it is for prosecutors to remain independent. The public needs to trust that justice is served fairly.
moshiurroney
Their resignations highlight serious issues within our legal system. We need prosecutors who are willing to uphold the law, not follow orders.
Leonardo
They might as well have left a resignation note saying they are playing the victim card. This all seems dramatic for no reason.
Raphael
I applaud their refusal to confess to something they didn’t do. It takes courage to stand by your principles in such a pressured environment.
Michelangelo
This case shows how critical it is for prosecutors to remain independent. The public needs to trust that justice is served fairly.