Justice Department's Public Integrity Section Faces Significant Downsizing

The Justice Department plans to downsize its Public Integrity Section, transferring cases to US attorney's offices. This decision follows leadership resignations amid controversy over dropped corruption charges against New York Mayor Eric Adams. No final decisions have been made as broader efforts to weaken government guardrails continue.

Prosecutors in the Justice Department's Public Integrity Section will see their unit significantly downsized, with cases transferred to US attorney's offices nationwide, according to insiders.

This decision follows leadership resignations after an order to drop corruption charges against New York Mayor Eric Adams. Initially established post-Watergate, the section's mission is at risk under current administrative strategies.

As a prestigious arm of the department, the section also oversees election crime handling. In the wake of this upheaval, its reputation, damaged by past missteps, faces uncertain prospects.

(With inputs from agencies.)