The Thursday Night Massacre: DOJ Resignations Over the Eric Adams Corruption Investigation

In what is being described as a historic and deeply unsettling moment in the Department of Justice’s history, a wave of resignations rocked the agency following an unprecedented directive to dismiss federal corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams. The mass departures, occurring on the night of February 13, 2025, have since been dubbed the "Thursday Night Massacre," drawing comparisons to the infamous "Saturday Night Massacre" of the Watergate era. The fallout from this crisis has not only shaken the Department of Justice (DOJ) but has also intensified concerns about the independence of law enforcement agencies under political pressure.

Background of the Investigation

The controversy surrounding Mayor Eric Adams had been brewing for months. Federal prosecutors from the Southern District of New York (SDNY) launched an investigation in 2023 into allegations that Adams had accepted illegal campaign contributions and luxury perks during his tenure as Brooklyn Borough President. The case against him gained traction in late 2024 when Adams was indicted on charges including bribery, conspiracy, and abuse of office.

The investigation revealed evidence suggesting that Adams had engaged in a pay-to-play scheme, allegedly awarding lucrative contracts and political favors in exchange for financial support from donors. While Adams vehemently denied any wrongdoing, the case continued to develop, leading to a grand jury indictment in September 2024. The indictment was seen as a major move by SDNY, reinforcing the DOJ’s commitment to combating corruption at all levels of government.

The Directive That Sparked the Crisis

Despite the extensive work by federal prosecutors in preparing the case, the political landscape shifted dramatically with the re-election of Donald Trump in November 2024. By early 2025, newly appointed Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove, a Trump loyalist, began overseeing high-profile cases, including the Adams corruption probe. It was under Bove’s leadership that the directive to dismiss the case against Adams was issued.

On February 12, 2025, prosecutors at the SDNY were informed of the decision to file a motion requesting that all charges against Mayor Adams be dropped. The order, which came directly from the DOJ leadership in Washington, blindsided the prosecutors who had spent years building the case. According to insiders, the rationale behind the decision was unclear, though speculation mounted that political considerations played a role.

The Resignations Begin

The first major departure came swiftly. Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Danielle Sassoon, resigned on the evening of February 12, 2025. Sassoon, who had been a respected prosecutor with a reputation for tackling public corruption cases, reportedly refused to sign off on the motion to dismiss the charges. In her resignation letter, she expressed concerns about political interference in the DOJ and stated that the directive undermined the credibility of federal prosecutors.

The fallout continued the following day. Assistant U.S. Attorney Hagan Scotten, one of the lead prosecutors on the Adams case, also submitted his resignation, citing ethical concerns. Within hours, more resignations followed. Five high-ranking DOJ officials from the Criminal Division in Washington, D.C., stepped down in protest. Among them were Acting Head of the Criminal Division Robert Driscoll and Acting Chief of the Public Integrity Section John Keller. Their collective decision to resign sent shockwaves through the legal and political communities, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.

The Fallout and Public Reaction

The mass exodus of top DOJ officials prompted widespread public outcry. Legal experts and former government officials likened the event to the 1973 "Saturday Night Massacre," when senior DOJ officials resigned after refusing to carry out President Richard Nixon’s orders to fire the special prosecutor investigating Watergate.

Democrats and government accountability groups swiftly condemned the DOJ’s actions, arguing that the dismissals signaled a dangerous politicization of law enforcement. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries called for an emergency congressional investigation into the circumstances surrounding the case’s dismissal, stating, "The integrity of our justice system is under direct assault. We cannot allow political interference to dictate which cases are prosecuted and which are not."

New York Governor Kathy Hochul convened a closed-door meeting with top Democratic leaders to discuss the political ramifications of the DOJ’s decision. Reports indicated that several key figures, including City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, were weighing whether to publicly call for Mayor Adams to step down, fearing that the scandal could damage the party’s credibility in upcoming elections.

Judicial Intervention and Uncertain Legal Consequences

As the crisis unfolded, a federal judge overseeing the Adams case intervened, demanding an explanation from both the DOJ and Mayor Adams’ legal team regarding the sudden motion to dismiss. The judge’s request suggested that the court might not immediately accept the DOJ’s decision to drop the charges without further scrutiny.

Legal scholars pointed out that while the DOJ has the authority to dismiss charges, judges retain discretion in whether to grant such motions. Some experts speculated that the judge might hold a hearing to examine whether the DOJ’s decision was made in "bad faith" or due to improper political influence. If the judge were to reject the motion, the case against Adams could continue, albeit under intense political pressure.

Meanwhile, watchdog organizations called for an independent review of the DOJ’s decision-making process. Calls for a special prosecutor to take over the case gained traction, particularly among former DOJ officials who feared that the precedent set by the "Thursday Night Massacre" could have long-term consequences for the rule of law.

Mayor Adams' Response

Throughout the ordeal, Mayor Adams maintained his innocence, describing the federal case as a "witch hunt" aimed at undermining his administration. Following the DOJ’s announcement that it would move to dismiss charges, Adams held a press conference in which he portrayed himself as the victim of a political vendetta.

"I have said from day one that these allegations were baseless," Adams declared. "Now, justice has prevailed, and I look forward to continuing my work for the people of New York."

Despite his triumphant tone, Adams’ political future remained uncertain. The scandal had already eroded trust in his leadership, and with multiple Democratic figures distancing themselves from him, his ability to effectively govern was called into question. Some political analysts speculated that even with the case dismissed, Adams’ reelection prospects in 2025 were severely damaged.

Political Implications and the Future of the DOJ

The broader implications of the "Thursday Night Massacre" extend far beyond Mayor Adams. The resignations and ensuing controversy have reignited debates about the independence of federal law enforcement and the extent to which political considerations should influence prosecutorial decisions.

Republicans and Trump allies defended the DOJ’s actions, arguing that the case against Adams was politically motivated from the start. Some conservative commentators pointed to past instances where Democratic administrations had faced similar allegations of politicizing the DOJ, citing cases such as the Hillary Clinton email investigation.

However, within the GOP, not all were aligned on the issue. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, known for his careful approach to legal matters, expressed deep concern over the resignations, calling them a "red flag" regarding the DOJ’s decision-making. McConnell’s break from other Republican leaders suggested that the controversy might not be as straightforward as partisan narratives suggested.

Conclusion: A Crisis with Lasting Repercussions

The "Thursday Night Massacre" represents one of the most significant crises to hit the DOJ in recent history. The resignations of multiple high-level officials over a politically sensitive case have raised alarm bells about the rule of law, the integrity of federal investigations, and the future of independent law enforcement in the United States.

As the legal and political battles continue to unfold, one thing remains clear: the events of February 13, 2025, will be remembered as a turning point in the ongoing struggle over the role of justice in a deeply divided nation. Whether the fallout leads to meaningful reforms or further erosion of public trust in law enforcement institutions remains to be seen, but the "Thursday Night Massacre" has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on American legal and political history.