Columbia Standard

U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin, alongside other Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats, has requested an investigation by the Department of Justice (DOJ) Inspector General Michael Horowitz into Attorney General Pam Bondi and Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove. The request concerns efforts to dismiss charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams for what they describe as "blatantly partisan reasons." There are also allegations that Mr. Bove may be destroying evidence related to this case.

The Senators have sent a separate letter to both Attorney General Bondi and Acting Deputy Attorney General Bove, urging them to preserve all records related to actions taken by the DOJ in dismissing Mayor Adams' prosecution. This includes any steps taken by DOJ officials to identify and remove prosecutors who refused to comply with these directives.

"The now former Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Danielle Sassoon, along with at least five other career prosecutors in the Department of Justice Criminal Division, including the chief and deputy chief of the Public Integrity Section, have resigned rather than carry out an order from Mr. Bove that is self-evidently contrary to the public interest and based upon corrupt motives," wrote the Senators.

On February 10, Mr. Bove directed Ms. Sassoon "to dismiss the pending charges in United States v. Adams," claiming authorization from Attorney General Bondi and stating that this decision was made without evaluating the merits of the case. Instead, it was acknowledged that dismissal was sought due to its impact on Mayor Adams’ ability to address issues like illegal immigration and violent crime.

Ms. Sassoon expressed her concerns about this directive in a memo dated February 12 to Attorney General Bondi. She highlighted how Mr. Bove had reprimanded a team member for taking notes during a meeting with counsel for Mayor Adams.

"Mr. Bove claims the Department is seeking dismissal of Mayor Adams’ indictment because it was an instance of supposed ‘weaponization,’ but he offers no evidence for this charge," noted the Senators in their letter.

The letter further suggests that dropping the case aligns with President Trump’s political agenda, as evidenced by Mayor Adams's recent meeting with Tom Homan, President Trump’s 'border czar,' and subsequent cooperation between New York City and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The Senators concluded their appeal by emphasizing that "the American people cannot afford to have the Department of Justice weaponize its vast prosecutorial authority to coerce public officials."

Joining Durbin in signing these letters were U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse, Amy Klobuchar, Chris Coons, Richard Blumenthal, Mazie Hirono, Cory Booker, Alex Padilla, Peter Welch, and Adam Schiff.