Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove ordered career prosecutors earlier this month to sign a motion to dismiss the bribery case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, accused of corruptly approving permits for a new Turkish consulate in Manhattan.

The indictment, filed in September 2024, “improperly interfered” with Adam’s reelection campaign, Bove's motion stated. Moreover, “the pending prosecution has unduly restricted Mayor Adams’ ability to devote his full attention and resources to the illegal immigration and violent crime that escalated under the policies of the prior administration.”

Bove’s motion did not address the evidence against Adams. Bove restored the security clearance of the mayor, who had dined with President-Elect Trump at Mar-a-Lago in January and was a guest at the inauguration. Perhaps to ensure that Adams continued to comply with the wishes of the administration, however, Bove left open the possibility that the Department of Justice might reinstate the charges at a later date.

Within a few days, seven lawyers connected to the case refused to sign the motion and resigned.

Here are profiles of the two prosecutors who have explained their decisions to the public. The warnings issued by these talented professionals, neither of whom is a Democrat, about the imminent danger posed to the rule of law by abject loyalty to the Trump administration and weaponization of the Department of Justice are too important to disappear into the rapid news cycle.

Danielle Sassoon, appointed interim head of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Manhattan by President Trump soon after his second term began,

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