Prosecutors Resign Over Dismissal of Adams Case

Three federal prosecutors—Celia Cohen, Andrew Rohrbach, and Derek Wikstrom—resigned after refusing to admit wrongdoing as a condition for reinstatement following their opposition to dismissing a corruption case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams. The case, which was dismissed in April, alleged Adams received illegal campaign contributions and travel perks from foreign officials. The prosecutors stated in their resignation letter that the Department of Justice prioritized obedience over legal and ethical obligations by requiring them to express regret for actions they believed were justified. These departures are part of a broader wave of resignations, including former acting U.S. attorney Danielle Sassoon, after the Trump administration ordered the case dropped to enlist Adams' support on immigration issues. In total, at least 11 prosecutors have resigned in protest over the handling of the Adams case. Jay Clayton has been appointed as interim U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York amid the ongoing turmoil.