What happened when the Justice Department dropped corruption charges against NYC Mayor Eric Adams, and what concerns does this raise about prosecutorial independence?

The Justice Department's decision to drop corruption charges against Mayor Eric Adams sparked significant controversy when Acting U.S. Attorney Danielle Sassoon resigned after being ordered to dismiss what prosecutors considered a strong case. The situation escalated when Adams' lawyers allegedly engaged in quid pro quo discussions, suggesting the mayor would assist DOJ enforcement priorities only if charges were dismissed. Attorney General Pam Bondi's office justified dropping the charges to allow Adams to focus on immigration and crime issues, while questioning the timing of the original indictment. However, this intervention raises serious concerns about prosecutorial independence under the Trump administration, as federal prosecutors in New York felt pressured to abandon a case they believed had merit.