Political Influence in Justice
Why did Danielle Sassoon resign from her position as acting U.S. attorney in Manhattan?
Danielle Sassoon resigned because she felt complying with the DOJ directive to dismiss charges against Mayor Eric Adams would violate her oath to the Constitution and her ethical obligations as an attorney. In her resignation letter, she explained that following the order would compromise her duty of candor under New York law and prevent her from credibly representing the government in court. Sassoon emphasized that prosecutors must operate without political influence, stating that dismissing the case based on political considerations would undermine the integrity of the justice system and her ability to lead the office of nearly 200 prosecutors who are committed to pursuing cases without fear or favor.
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MSNBC
05:50 - 07:36
Why did U.S. attorney Danielle Sassoon resign from her position?
Danielle Sassoon resigned because she was asked by the Attorney General to do something that conflicted with her ethics and morals. Despite the Attorney General being her boss with authority to direct U.S. attorneys, Sassoon chose to step down rather than comply with directives that contradicted her principles and the reason she became a prosecutor - to fight corruption. The transcript suggests she faced pressure that would have compromised her integrity, likely related to dropping corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams. For Sassoon, this represented "a bridge too far" as it meant working for those she considered "the bad guys" rather than pursuing justice as she had intended in her role.
Watch clip answer (00:27m)MSNBC
05:23 - 05:50
Why did acting U.S. Attorney Danielle Sassoon resign and what does it reveal about the dismissal of corruption charges against NYC Mayor Eric Adams?
Sassoon resigned after Trump-appointed U.S. Attorney Beauvais directed her to drop corruption charges against Mayor Adams. In his February 10th letter, Beauvais cited concerns about 'weaponization, election interference' and how the case 'imposed on Mayor Adams' ability to govern and cooperate with federal law enforcement to keep New York City safe.' This directive appears politically motivated, as Beauvais previously served as Donald Trump's lawyer in the hush money case (which Trump lost). The dismissal suggests that federal authorities are prioritizing Adams' cooperation on immigration enforcement over corruption prosecution, validating Sassoon's principled stand against political interference.
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MSNBC
02:06 - 03:07
Who is Emil Bove and what position does he currently hold?
Emil Bove currently serves as the acting Deputy Attorney General in the Justice Department, but he was previously Donald Trump's criminal defense lawyer. According to Lawrence O'Donnell, he personally observed Bove for weeks when Bove was working as the number two defense counsel for Donald Trump. This connection raises significant concerns about the separation between Trump's personal legal representation and the Justice Department leadership. The description suggests Bove is now using his position to influence legal proceedings, including directing the dismissal of federal charges against New York Mayor Eric Adams.
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MSNBC
03:53 - 04:04
Why did Danielle Sassoon resign from her position as U.S. attorney in the Southern District of New York?
Danielle Sassoon, a 38-year-old U.S. attorney in the Southern District of New York, resigned on principle after refusing to ask a judge to dismiss criminal charges against New York Mayor Eric Adams. This principled resignation represents her unwavering commitment to uphold justice and legal integrity despite facing apparent political pressure. Her resignation echoes historical precedents of government officials choosing ethical standards over political compliance, particularly significant in the context of the Trump administration's Justice Department. Lawrence O'Donnell describes this as the return of the 'principled resignation' in American politics, highlighting Sassoon's courageous stand against what appears to be improper political interference in the judicial process.
Watch clip answer (00:13m)MSNBC
05:30 - 05:43
What action has Trump's Justice Department taken regarding New York Mayor Eric Adams?
On the 21st day of what Lawrence O'Donnell calls the 'Trump political weaponization of the Justice Department,' a directive was issued that prevents the FBI from investigating New York Mayor Eric Adams. According to O'Donnell, this unprecedented directive grants Adams complete immunity from federal scrutiny, as the FBI is 'no longer allowed to investigate anything he does anywhere at any time.' This controversial decision represents a significant departure from normal Justice Department protocols, effectively placing the mayor beyond federal law enforcement reach. The directive has reportedly prompted principled resignations within the Justice Department from officials concerned about political interference in the judicial process.
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MSNBC
00:32 - 00:52