Manhattan prosecutor who resigned says Trump is guilty of 'numerous' felonies
In his resignation letter, Manhattan prosecutor Mark F. Pomerantz wrote that after investigating former President Donald Trump and the Trump Organization, he believes Trump is "guilty of numerous felony violations," The New York Times reports.
Pomerantz also said it would be a "grave failure of justice" not to hold Trump accountable.
The letter, which was obtained by the Times, was submitted on Feb. 23 to new Manhattan district attorney Alvin Bragg. Pomerantz and Carey R. Dunne, another senior prosecutor involved in the inquiry into Trump, resigned after Bragg paused pursuing an indictment of the former president. Bragg's decision, Pomerantz wrote, was "contrary to the public interest. The team that has been investigating Mr. Trump harbors no doubt about whether he committed crimes — he did."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Pomerantz and Dunne intended to charge Trump with falsifying business records, specifically his annual financial statements, the Times reports. This is a felony in New York state, and if Pomerantz and Dunne had secured an indictment, Trump would have become the first American president to face criminal charges.
The Times reported in early March that the prosecutors and Bragg disagreed about whether they could prove Trump knowingly falsified the value of his assets on the annual financial statements. In his letter, Pomerantz wrote that before leaving office, Bragg's predecessor, Cyrus R. Vance Jr., directed prosecutors to pursue an indictment of Trump and "other defendants as soon as reasonably possible." He did not list any names.
"No case is perfect," Pomerantz wrote. "Whatever the risks of bringing the case may be, I am convinced that a failure to prosecute will pose much greater risks in terms of public confidence in the fair administration of justice."
The district attorney's office said the investigation into Trump is ongoing, and as such, Bragg cannot comment on its specifics. Pomerantz warned in his letter that "I and others believe that your decision not to authorize prosecution now will doom any future prospects that Mr. Trump will be prosecuted for the criminal conduct we have been investigating." Read more at The New York Times.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
-
How should the cricketing world handle Afghanistan?
Talking Point England under pressure to boycott upcoming men's match against the nation, which remains an ICC member despite Taliban ban on women's team
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Has Gaza's 'safe zone' fallen apart?
Today's Big Question At least 12 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli airstrikes on the increasingly fragile al-Mawasi tent camp
By Elizabeth Carr-Ellis, The Week UK Published
-
The Traitors series three: return of 'completely riveting' reality TV
The Week Recommends First show of new series is as 'compelling' as ever, with – of course – a few wicked twists
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
'Regret can be toxic'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Who can be House speaker? Asking for Elon.
The Explainer The Constitution is silent about whether non-members of Congress can be elected House speaker
By David Faris Published
-
Is the US testing China's 'red lines' on Taiwan?
Today's Big Question And how will Trump change the U.S.-China relationship?
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Biden commutes most federal death sentences
Speed Read The president downgraded the punishment of 37 of 40 prisoners on death row to life in prison without parole
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
House report on Gaetz finds regular paid sex, drugs
Speed Read The House Ethics Committee's report on former Rep. Matt Gaetz presented evidence of statutory rape, illicit drug use and other violations
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
'Solitude has become a notable, and worrisome, trend of our times'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Anya Jaremko-Greenwold, The Week US Published
-
Trump floats taking control of Panama Canal, Greenland
Speed Read President-elect Donald Trump says the US should take over Greenland, hours after threatening to take over the Panama Canal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
How might Trump's second term affect the free press?
Today's Big Question The president-elect has previously pledged to go after his supposed 'enemies' in the media
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published