A US federal judge peppered a top member of Donald Trump's Justice Department with questions Wednesday during a hearing over the office's extraordinary move to drop corruption charges against New York Mayor Eric Adams.

The department's request prompted a wave of protest resignations within the Justice Department and at the mayor's office amid allegations that it was a quid pro quo in exchange for Adams agreeing to enforce the Republican president's immigration crackdown -- a claim the mayor denies.

Judge Dale Ho made no decision on the effort to abandon the graft case against Adams during the 90-minute hearing, asking for "patience" as he weighs what he called a "somewhat unusual situation."

"It's not in anyone's interest for this to drag on," Ho said, but "I'm not going to shoot from the hip right here on the bench."

He acknowledged the scope of his power to contradict the Justice Department on the matter was "narrow."

Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove appeared alone before the judge to defend his office's demand, which he said was necessary so Adams can focus on "protecting the........

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