Prosecutorial independence
How did Danielle Sassoon respond to the pressure to drop corruption charges against NYC Mayor Eric Adams?
Danielle Sassoon demonstrated remarkable integrity by resigning from her position rather than complying with the directive to dismiss the corruption case against Mayor Adams. In her eight-page resignation letter, she thoroughly dismantled her superior's arguments and exposed what she saw as a corrupt quid pro quo arrangement where Adams' lawyers offered help with immigration issues only if the indictment was dismissed. Despite her strong conservative credentials, Sassoon chose to uphold the rule of law when faced with evidence that suggested obstruction of justice, including the deletion of evidence and provision of false information to the FBI. Her principled stand, alongside other career prosecutors who joined her, represents a powerful example of ethical commitment in the face of political pressure.
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MSNBC
09:33 - 11:21
What happened when Trump's administration tried to pressure DOJ officials to drop the corruption case against NYC Mayor Eric Adams?
Six senior Department of Justice officials resigned in a single day after refusing to drop the corruption case against Mayor Eric Adams despite pressure from Trump's administration. The case was initially transferred from U.S. Attorney Danielle Sassoon to the DOJ's Public Integrity Section, where acting head John Keller also refused to dismiss it and resigned. When transferred to Kevin Driscoll, the acting head of the Justice Department's Criminal Division, he too refused and resigned, followed by three more senior members of the Public Integrity Section. These principled resignations represent a stand for the rule of law against what Chris Hayes describes as the "blatant corruption" of the Trump administration.
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MSNBC
04:03 - 04:59
What led to Danielle Sassoon's resignation as Acting U.S. Attorney?
Danielle Sassoon resigned as Acting U.S. Attorney after refusing to bow to pressure from the Trump administration to dismiss corruption charges against NYC Mayor Eric Adams. In her resignation letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi, Sassoon revealed that Adams' attorneys had proposed what amounted to a quid pro quo: offering the mayor's assistance with Trump's immigration enforcement priorities in exchange for dropping the criminal case against him. Sassoon put her loyalty to the rule of law ahead of political affiliations, exposing the improper arrangement despite being accused of conducting a political witch hunt by Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bovey. Her principled stand highlighted serious concerns about political interference in federal prosecutions.
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MSNBC
00:54 - 03:22
Why did acting U.S. Attorney Danielle Sassoon resign from the Southern District of New York?
Danielle Sassoon resigned because she refused to comply with Department of Justice directives to drop corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams. In her letter to Attorney General Bondi, she refuted the reasoning behind the dismissal order, arguing that whether the case proceeded to trial or was dismissed without prejudice (allowing it to be brought again after the November election) made no meaningful difference. Sassoon stood on ethical principles, rejecting what she perceived as political pressure that would have placed the mayor under administrative monitoring and control, compromising her prosecutorial integrity and constitutional oath.
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MSNBC
03:46 - 05:11
Why did Danielle Sassoon resign from her position as acting U.S. attorney in Manhattan?
Danielle Sassoon resigned after refusing to comply with a Department of Justice order to drop corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams. Despite being a conservative with ties to the Federalist Society and having clerked for Justice Antonin Scalia, Sassoon took a stand against what she described in a letter as being part of a 'quid pro quo.' Sassoon, who was appointed to the acting position by Donald Trump just weeks prior to her resignation, demonstrated her commitment to prosecutorial independence regardless of political affiliation. Her principled stance highlights tensions within the justice system concerning political influence over legal proceedings.
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MSNBC
00:12 - 00:56
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.
Watch clip answer (01:46m)
MSNBC
05:50 - 07:36