Democrats Jamie Ruskin (MD.) and Jasmine Crockett (Texas), who are members of the House Judiciary Committee, have launched an investigation into the Department of Justice (DOJ) move and have dropped federal corruption charges against New York Mayor Eric Adams (D).
Lawmakers wrote to Attorney General Pam Bondy on Sunday, accusing the DOJ of trying to hide the Quid Pro, whose charges against Adams are being retracted, in return for support for the Trump administration in implementing immigration policies.
“It appears the Department of Justice (DOJ) not only tried to pressure Career prosecutors to carry out this illegal Quid Pro, but also personally engaged in cover-up in retaliation against Career prosecutors who destroyed the evidence and refused to comply with his illegal and unethical orders,” the two members wrote.
“We are writing to require you to immediately end the cover-up and retaliation and provide Congress with documents and information about these disturbing accounts,” they said.
Raskin and Crockett described the efforts to rescue Adams as “a blatant and illegal quid pro to ensure the mayor's loyal support in implementing the Trump administration's mass arrest and deportation policy.”
Several DOJ officials have recently resigned from their post after receiving an order to withdraw federal corruption charges against Adams.
Adams was due to go to trial in April for bribery, wire fraud and soliciting contributions to illegal campaigns, but the federal judge overseeing the criminal case delayed the trial indefinitely as DOJ took into consideration efforts to withdraw the charges.
On February 10th, U.S. Deputy Attorney General Emil BoveNotes on ordering prosecutorsFreeze their case against Adams on ice, citing issues of integrity and interference in his ability to serve as mayor.
According to Bove, the department “reached this conclusion without evaluating the strength of the evidence or the legal theory underlying the case.” He denied that his move was part of the “Quid Pro” arrangement.
After President Trump's election victory, Adams appeared to be very friendly with the new administration for members of the opposition, and in collaboration with President's “border emperor” Tom Homan, implementing immigration policies.
In January, before Trump was sworn in, Adams visited with him in Marlago, Florida, before attending the inauguration ceremony in Washington.
