The Department of Justice (DOJ) prosecutor who led the criminal division of the U.S. attorney’s office in Washington, D.C. has resigned, according to several reports.
Denise Cheung sent an email to the office on Tuesday notifying her colleagues of the decision, which she came to after refusing to carry out a directive from leadership, the New York Times reported.
Trump nominated Ed Martin, who is already serving as interim U.S. attorney, to lead the office on Monday.
“When I started as an AUSA, I took an oath of office to support and defend the Constitution, and I have executed this duty faithfully during my tenure, which has spanned through numerous Administrations,” Cheung wrote in an email, according to CNN. “I know that all of the AUSAs in the office continue to honor their oaths on a daily basis, just as I know that you have always conducted yourself with the utmost integrity.”
TRUMP has nominated Edward R. Martin, Jr., to be U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, which he had been serving as in an interim capacity.
Martin has recently defended the actions of DOGE and previously served as defense attorney to several January 6 defendants. pic.twitter.com/Mb15BYlkOX
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) February 17, 2025
Seven DOJ officials resigned last week after receiving instructions to dismiss charges against New York Mayor Eric Adams. U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Danielle Sassoon resigned first, writing that dismissing the indictment would be inconsistent with her “ability and duty to prosecute federal crimes without fear or favor and to advance good-faith arguments before the courts.”
The DOJ and DC Attorney’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
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TRUMP has nominated Edward R. Martin, Jr., to be U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, which he had been serving as in an interim capacity.