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#JackSmith Among Federal Prosecutors Expressing 'Alarm' Over #Trump's #DOJ
Hundreds of fmr #Justice Dept lawyers signed an open letter to career federal prosecutors expressing "alarm" over the department's recent actions.
Among the signatories was Jack Smith, the fmr special counsel whose office charged Trump in connection to the #Jan6, 2021, Capitol insurrection & Trump's hoarding of #ClassifiedDocuments.
#law
https://www.newsweek.com/jack-smith-prosecutors-open-letter-trump-doj-2032871
The letter, dated Feb 17, comes days after a slew of career prosecutors resigned over the #DOJ's decision to drop its case against NYC mayor #EricAdams so that Adams can assist #Trump on #immigration.
#DanielleSassoon, the fmr acting head of the US attorney's office in Manhattan & one of the officials who resigned, described the deal as a "#QuidProQuo" in a letter last week to AG #PamBondi.
"As prosecutors, we were rightly prohibited from making #criminal charging decisions based on someone's political association, activities or beliefs, or because of our personal feelings about them," the former prosecutors wrote in their open letter to current #DOJ employees. "We knew it was impermissible to treat a defendant more leniently just because they were powerful or well-connected, or more harshly because they were not."
The letter continued: "Against this backdrop, we have watched with alarm as these values have been tested by recent actions of the Department's leadership. Some of you have been ordered to make charging decisions based expressly on considerations other than the facts & the #law, including to serve solely political purposes.
"Some of you have been forced to consider whether your actions will result in the elimination of the #PublicIntegrity Section, created in the wake of the Watergate scandal, & whose vital work is intended to protect the public from government #corruption," it said. "Several of you have resigned, & others are wondering what will happen to the Department we served & revere."
The letter went on to say, "To all of you, we communicate this: We salute & admire the courage many of you have already exhibited, & that will guide all of you as you continue to serve the interests of #justice. You have responded to #ethical challenges of a type no public servant should ever be forced to confront with principle & conviction, in the finest traditions of the Department of Justice.
"We know there will be more challenges ahead, & we have no doubt that those of you who continue to serve will uphold the Department's values for the sake of the rule of #law, just as you have always done. Please know that when you do, generations of former federal prosecutors are watching with pride & admiration & stand ready to support you in this honorable pursuit," it concluded.