> Sassoon retorted in her letter, also published by the Times, that she did “not see any good-faith basis” for obeying the order: “Because the law does not support a dismissal, and because I am confident that Adams has committed the crimes with which he is charged, I cannot agree to seek a dismissal driven by improper considerations.”

The New York prosecutor, a registered Republican, said she was “baffled by the rushed and superficial process by which this decision was reached,” noting that it appeared to be made in collaboration with Adams’ counsel and without her input.

> Sassoon said it was unclear how a dismissal of the charges would help Adams more effectively aid the Trump administration’s crusade against illegal immigrants. She added that the charges were brought far in advance—nine months before the mayoral primary and over a year before the mayoral election.

“Adams has argued in substance and Mr. Bove appears prepared to concede that Adams should receive leniency for federal crimes solely because he occupies an important public position and can use that position to assist in the administration’s policy priorities,” she wrote.