Profiles in Courage: Danielle Sassoon, a Prosecutor of Principle, Quits After Rejecting Trump-Appointed AG's Order to Sh
Profiles in Courage: Danielle Sassoon, a Prosecutor of Principle, Quits After Rejecting Trump-Appointed AG’s Order to Shield Eric Adams
PUBLISHED 5/2/2025 by Eleanor Wesley and Sheree L. Williams
Her resignation underscores the stakes of ethical leadership in a justice system under political pressure.
Profiles in Courage is a new series honoring the extraordinary women and men who have transformed American institutions through principled public service. At a time when trust in government is fragile, these stories offer a powerful reminder of what ethical leadership looks like—from those who litigate for civil rights and resign on principle, to those who break military barriers and defend democracy on the front lines.
This month, we spotlight women in the Department of Justice, federal agencies and the military whose careers have been defined by integrity, resilience and reform. Their quiet heroism—often at personal cost—reaffirms the enduring role of public servants who choose justice over self-interest. Through their stories, Ms. pays tribute to a tradition of service that safeguards democracy and inspires the next generation to lead with courage.
After graduating magna cum laude from Harvard in 2008, Danielle Sassoon attended Yale Law School, then clerked for Justice Antonin Scalia. (Southern District of New York)
In the annals of American justice, Danielle Sassoon will be remembered not just for the cases she prosecuted but also for her unwavering integrity with which she upheld the law. A career federal prosecutor and former interim U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York (SDNY), Sassoon exemplified the highest ideals of the Department of Justice—courage, independence and an unyielding commitment to the rule of law. Appointed to lead one of the country’s most prestigious U.S. attorney’s offices, Sassoon took the helm of SDNY during a time of immense political and legal scrutiny. Just three weeks into her tenure, she was confronted with a directive that would test the very core of her professional and ethical commitments: Drop the office’s corruption case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams.
Rather than succumb to political pressure, Sassoon chose to resign rather than compromise her duty to the American people. In a letter to then-U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, she made it unequivocally clear that such an order would violate both the law and the principles she had sworn to uphold:
“This directive raises serious concerns that render the contemplated dismissal inconsistent with my ability and duty to prosecute federal crimes without fear or favor and to advance good-faith arguments before the courts,” she wrote in her resignation letter, as first obtained by The Associated Press. "I cannot fulfill my obligations, effectively lead my office in carrying out the department’s priorities, or credibly represent the government before the courts, if I seek to dismiss the Adams case."
Danielle Sassoon
Sassoon’s decision was not just an act of personal integrity—it was a resounding statement on the independence of the judiciary and the absolute necessity of prosecutorial discretion free from political influence. In a justice system where public trust is paramount, she stood as a sentinel against corruption, reaffirming that no individual—no matter how powerful—is above the law. Her resignation sent shockwaves through the legal and political landscape, earning widespread respect from her peers and legal scholars alike. But Sassoon was no stranger to accolades. In 2023, she was awarded the Women in Federal Law Enforcement’s (WIFLE) Top Prosecutor Award, a testament to her exceptional legal acumen, prosecutorial skill and steadfast commitment to justice.
Danielle Sassoon’s legacy is one of principle over politics, justice over convenience, and law over loyalty. Her decision to step down rather than bend to improper influence cements her place among her generation’s most respected and principled prosecutors—a beacon of justice in turbulent times.
https://msmagazine.com/2025/05/02/profiles-in-courage-danielle-sassoon/