Hagen Scotten, a lead prosecutor in the Eric Adams case, resigned from the Department of Justice to protest against what he perceives as unethical pressures regarding the case. He refuted claims about refusing an order to dismiss the indictment and supported U.S. Attorney Danielle R. Sassoon's decision against it. Scotten emphasized the dangers of using prosecutorial power to coerce elected officials into compliance with government policies, arguing that such actions undermine the integrity of the legal system. His resignation highlights a serious concern regarding the politicization of legal processes under the current administration.
The U.S. Attorney, Danielle R. Sassoon, never asked me to file such a motion, and I therefore never had an opportunity to refuse.
No system of ordered liberty can allow the Government to use the carrot of dismissing charges, or the stick of threatening to bring them again, to induce an elected official to support its policy objectives.
I can even understand how a Chief Executive whose background is in business and politics might see the contemplated dismissal-with-leverage as a good, if distasteful, deal.
If no lawyer within earshot of the President is willing to give him that advice, then I expect you will eventually face the consequences.
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