Trump is busy crafting the best cabinet he can imagine. And now he’s been handed a huge win.
Because this shocking resignation opened up a world of possibilities for Donald Trump.
Manhattan’s top federal prosecutor, Damian Williams, announced Monday that he will step down from his post next month, paving the way for President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to take the reins of the influential office.
Williams, appointed by President Biden in November 2021, will resign as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York on Dec. 13, just weeks before Trump’s inauguration.
“Today is a bittersweet day for me,” Williams said in a statement.
“It is bitter in the sense that I am leaving my dream job, leading an institution I love that is filled with the finest public servants in the world,” he continued.
“It is sweet in that I am confident I am leaving at a time when the Office is functioning at an incredibly high level — upholding and exceeding its already high standard of excellence, integrity, and independence.”
During his tenure, Williams didn’t shy away from going after high-profile Democrats, including former New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez and New York City Mayor Eric Adams.
His office also secured convictions against disgraced billionaire financiers like FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried and Archegos Capital’s Bill Hwang on fraud charges.
Williams even took on music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, charging him with s*x trafficking in a case that alleges Combs led a sordid criminal empire involving drugged-up s*x shows and threats against victims.
Combs has denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty.
The announcement follows Trump’s plans to nominate former U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Jay Clayton to replace Williams.
Trump praised Clayton on Truth Social, calling him “a highly respected business leader, counsel, and public servant” who will be “a strong Fighter for the Truth as we, Make America Great Again.”
Williams’ deputy, Edward Y. Kim, will step in as acting U.S. Attorney after Williams departs, pending Senate confirmation of Clayton’s nomination.
The timing of Williams’ resignation is particularly notable as Mayor Adams continues to fight federal bribery charges, which he denies.
Some sources close to Adams suggest that a Trump presidency could be a game-changer for Adams, offering a potential lifeline in his legal battles against what many perceive as politically motivated indictments.
Trump, for his part, has frequently criticized federal prosecutors, voicing his belief that Adams has been unfairly targeted in a bid to settle political scores.
Stay tuned to the DC Daily Journal.
