The U-turn has sent shock waves through the U.S. attorney’s office in Manhattan, known for its independence from the Justice Department.

The Justice Department's order to drop corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams will test whether a fiercely independent federal prosecutor's office can resist efforts by President Donald Trump's administration to rein it in.

The Justice Department has ordered federal prosecutors to drop corruption charges against Mayor Eric Adams, arguing that the case is interfering with the mayor’s ability to aid the president’s crackdown on illegal immigration.