Over 900 former Justice Department prosecutors have expressed their support for federal prosecutors who have faced pressure to drop the criminal case against Eric Adams, the Democratic mayor of New York. These former prosecutors have highlighted the ethical challenges faced by their colleagues, emphasizing that public servants should not be forced to confront such dilemmas.
The recent turmoil within the Justice Department saw at least eight prosecutors resign in protest rather than comply with orders to dismiss the corruption case against Adams. The letter from the former prosecutors underscores the importance of upholding values that prohibit prosecutorial decisions based on political considerations or stature.
Notable signatories of the letter include high-ranking prosecutors with extensive experience in the department, such as special counsel Jack Smith and former US attorneys like Edward L. Dowd, Jr. The support also extends to former prosecutors from the Southern District of New York and the department's Public Integrity section.
John Dean, known for his role as former President Richard Nixon's White House counsel during the Watergate scandal, joined the signatories. Additionally, several Watergate-era prosecutors, including special prosecutor Richard Ben-Veniste, lent their support to the cause.
