Manhattan D.A. Cy Vance isn't seeking re-election, raising questions about Trump prosecution
Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. informed his staff Friday morning, after telling The New Yorker's Jane Mayer in an interview published soon afterward, that he won't seek a fourth term and plans to leave office on Dec. 31. "There's nothing worse than a politician who doesn't know when to leave," Vance, 66, told Mayer, implicitly contrasting his departure to the long, long tenure of his storied predecessor, Robert Morgenthau, who retired at age 90 after 35 years in office.
Vance's decision means he has nine months to decide whether to bring charges in the largest case of his career, the potential prosecution of former President Donald Trump and his associates on a host of tax, banking, and insurance fraud charges. And if he and his grand jury do decide to file charges against Trump, as many knowledgeable allies believe they will, the actual prosecution would fall to his successor, Mayer notes. "Eight Democratic candidates are campaigning for the job, and, given the city's liberal leanings, the victor of the Democratic primary, in June, is all but guaranteed to win in November."
By all accounts, the Trump investigation shifted into high gear after Vance obtained eight years of Trump's tax and accounting records. He has hired prominent former prosecutor Mark Pomerantz and forensic accounting firm FTI to handle or advise in the Trump case. Pomerantz, who obtained a conviction of mob boss John Gotti in 1999 but has more recently defended white-collar criminals, was partly brought in "to scare the sh-t out of people," one well-informed source told Mayer. Former New Jersey Attorney General Anne Milgram, who worked under Morgenthau, said she believes Pomerantz will ensure continuity and stability in the Trump case after Vance's successor is elected.
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.
If indicted, Trump is expected to fight hard and fight dirty to avoid conviction, and he's already calling the case a political "witch hunt." But Vance, who Mayer describes as an earnest straight-shooting son of privilege who is disinterested in and bad at politics, doesn't fit the mold of a witch hunter. "When you have all the power we have as prosecutors, it can't be leveled against people for political purposes," Vance told Mayer. "We've prosecuted Republicans and Democrats, and we've investigated and not prosecuted Republicans and Democrats. It's got to be based on the facts."
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
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
The history of Donald Trump's election conspiracy theories
The Explainer How the 2024 Republican nominee has consistently stoked baseless fears of a stolen election
By David Faris Published
-
Two ancient cities have been discovered along the Silk Road
Under the radar The discovery changed what was known about the old trade route
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
'People shouldn't have to share the road with impaired drivers'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Has the Taliban banned women from speaking?
Today's Big Question 'Rambling' message about 'bizarre' restriction joins series of recent decrees that amount to silencing of Afghanistan's women
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Cuba's energy crisis
The Explainer Already beset by a host of issues, the island nation is struggling with nationwide blackouts
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Putin's fixation with shamans
Under the Radar Secretive Russian leader, said to be fascinated with occult and pagan rituals, allegedly asked for blessing over nuclear weapons
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Chimpanzees are dying of human diseases
Under the radar Great apes are vulnerable to human pathogens thanks to genetic similarity, increased contact and no immunity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies hang over Sydney's Mardi Gras
The Explainer Police officer, the former partner of TV presenter victim, charged with two counts of murder after turning himself in
By Austin Chen, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 24 February - 1 March
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will mounting discontent affect Iran election?
Today's Big Question Low turnout is expected in poll seen as crucial test for Tehran's leadership
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Sweden clears final NATO hurdle with Hungary vote
Speed Read Hungary's parliament overwhelmingly approved Sweden's accession to NATO
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published