Statement of former presidents of the Chicago Council of Lawyers regarding dismissal of New York Mayor Eric Adams (Chicago, IL) – (February 17, 2025) – Following is a statement from 10 former presidents of the Chicago Council of Lawyers, condemning the blatantly political order filed by the Department of Justice on Friday to dismiss the indictment charges against New York Mayor Eric Adams:
“The memo ordering dismissal stated explicitly that the order was made ‘without assessing the strength of the evidence or the legal theories on which the case is based.’ It was made to reward Mayor Adams’ obeisance to President Trump in supporting roundups of immigrants. The agreement is so clear that the motion to dismiss is ‘without prejudice’, meaning the indictment against Adams could be reinstated if Adams does not fulfill his part of the bargain.
“This action is so contrary to the rule of law, the standards of the Department of Justice, and the ethics of the legal profession, that the Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York resigned rather than dismiss the indictment. Seven former U.S. Attorneys for the Southern District of New York, both Republicans and Democrats, have lauded her integrity. The heads of the Public Integrity Section in Washington also resigned rather than succumb to this subversion of justice. We applaud these courageous public servants.
“Even worse, Emil Bove III, the acting Deputy Attorney General who ordered the dismissal, has ordered an investigation of those with the integrity to refuse his order. This is meant to deter those prosecutors who would refuse to carry out unethical orders. Justice has been turned upside down.
“These actions by the Trump regime echo some of the worst abuses of the Nixon administration during the Watergate years and should be roundly condemned by all those who continue to believe in the rule of law.
Signed,
John Schmidt
Martin Oberman
Arnie Kanter
Judd Miner
Robert Graham
Locke Bowman
David Melton
Robert Bennett
George Galland
Carrie Huff”
Statement of former presidents of the Chicago Council of Lawyers regarding dismissal of New York Mayor Eric Adams
