Trump Administration Targets Public Corruption Unit

The Trump administration is contemplating substantial cuts to the U.S. Justice Department's Public Integrity Section, which handles key corruption cases. The proposal could see most lawyers reassigned, leaving the unit primarily in a consulting role. This move follows internal resistance against dropping a corruption case involving New York Mayor Eric Adams.

The Trump administration is weighing significant reductions in the Department of Justice's Public Integrity Section, renowned for handling high-profile public corruption cases. This news, confirmed by four well-placed sources, casts uncertainty over the future of politically sensitive legal proceedings in the department.

According to insiders, Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew Galeotti has informed several employees of the potential reshuffle, which could see nearly 20 attorneys moved to other legal fields, such as immigration and violent crime, amid possible layoffs. This shift comes as a result of internal pushback from supervisors against orders to dismiss charges against New York Mayor Eric Adams.

A Justice Department spokesperson stated that final decisions are pending, emphasizing a broader departmental review of resources. The proposed changes suggest shifting control over public corruption and election-related cases from Washington to U.S. attorneys' offices nationwide. Such restructuring would pivot the Public Integrity Section from prosecuting cases to offering expertise in a consulting capacity.

(With inputs from agencies.)