Another day, another political scandal—only this time, the story isn’t about corruption itself but about the disturbing way in which justice is being manipulated to serve political ends. The Justice Department’s decision to drop corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams reeks of political favoritism, not because Adams is necessarily innocent or guilty, but because the rationale for dismissing the case reveals just how far our institutions have fallen.

At the heart of the matter is the DOJ’s claim that Adams’ indictment—brought under the Biden administration—would interfere with his re-election and prevent him from assisting the federal government on immigration. Let that sink in. A public official who was accused of unethical behavior, who allegedly traded political favors for luxury perks, gets a pass because his support on immigration is too valuable to risk a trial.

This decision is an explicit admission that political and policy considerations now trump the rule of law. Since when did justice depend on whether an accused politician is deemed useful to the sitting administration? The fundamental principle of equal justice under the law has been cast aside in favor of raw political calculation. And let’s be clear—this isn’t just a bad decision. It’s a watershed moment in the ongoing erosion of trust in our legal system.

The Dangerous Precedent of Political Prosecutions

The real danger here isn’t just about one corrupt politician escaping justice—it’s about the message this sends moving forward. If Mayor Adams can have his case dropped because his political support is too valuable to lose, what’s to stop future presidents from protecting allies while hammering opponents?

We’ve already seen the justice system become weaponized in recent years. Under Biden, the DOJ aggressively pursued conservative figures, raiding pro-life activists’ homes, targeting concerned parents as “domestic terrorists,” and relentlessly prosecuting Donald Trump over classified documents while giving Joe Biden and Hillary Clinton a free pass for the same infractions.

Now, under Trump, we’re seeing the reverse: a Democrat being shielded from prosecution, not because he is innocent, but because he has become politically useful. This isn’t the restoration of justice—it’s just the pendulum swinging in the other direction. If the only standard is political expediency, then we no longer have a Department of Justice; we have a political enforcement arm that changes hands with each new administration.

This is where both conservatives and honest liberals should find common ground. If the rule of law means anything, it must apply equally to everyone, regardless of party affiliation, political usefulness, or public office. Otherwise, justice is no longer blind—it’s just another tool for those in power.

The Revolving Door of Resignations: A Telltale Sign of Corruption

One of the most telling aspects of this fiasco is the exodus of top prosecutors in response to the DOJ’s decision. Resignations at this level don’t happen over minor disagreements; they happen when career professionals feel that their integrity is being compromised.

Among those who walked away was Danielle Sassoon, a conservative lawyer promoted under Trump. Then came Hagan Scotten, an Army veteran and former clerk for Brett Kavanaugh. These are not individuals with a history of political grandstanding. They are career prosecutors who have served under multiple administrations. The fact that they resigned rather than comply with the order to drop the case suggests that they saw something deeply troubling—something they could not, in good conscience, be a part of.

When multiple prosecutors—including the top U.S. Attorney in Manhattan—choose to walk away rather than play ball, it’s not a minor dispute. It’s a warning sign that political interference has overridden legal judgment.

Selective Prosecutions and the Decline of Public Trust

Some commentators have tried to argue that Adams’ alleged crimes weren’t serious enough to warrant federal prosecution. That’s an interesting position, considering that these same voices had no issue with politically motivated prosecutions against conservatives for far less.

Let’s recall that Trump was impeached over a single phone call to Ukraine, where he inquired about possible corruption involving Joe Biden and his son Hunter. He was accused of “abuse of power” for merely asking a foreign leader to investigate a potential crime. Meanwhile, Adams allegedly used his political office to pull strings for foreign diplomats in exchange for personal perks. But suddenly, we’re told this isn’t a big deal?

The hypocrisy is astounding. The same justice system that has thrown the book at Trump and his allies—over everything from bookkeeping errors to classified documents—is now suddenly reluctant to prosecute Adams over what amounts to bribery?

This is why Americans are losing faith in our institutions. The DOJ isn’t applying a legal standard—it’s applying a political standard. If you’re an ally of the sitting administration, you get a pass. If you’re an opponent, expect to be investigated, indicted, and possibly jailed.

“Let the Voters Decide”? A Convenient Excuse

Some defenders of Adams’ dismissal argue that voters should be the ones to judge his alleged corruption. That’s a fine argument—if it were applied consistently. But we all know it isn’t.

No one argued that voters should decide whether Trump should face charges. No one suggested letting voters decide when conservative activists were prosecuted for election-related infractions or January 6 participation. When the target is a Republican, the justice system is all too eager to act. But when it’s a Democrat like Adams, suddenly it’s up to “the voters.”

If the legal system is supposed to be fair, it must apply its standards evenly. Otherwise, it ceases to be a system of law and becomes a system of political manipulation.

A Broken System in Need of Reform

The Adams case is a symptom of a deeper disease. Our justice system is no longer independent—it has been co-opted by those in power to serve their own ends. The solution isn’t for conservatives to retaliate by targeting leftist politicians; the solution is to restore the rule of law itself.

To fix this, we need:

1. A truly independent Justice Department – We cannot allow the DOJ to be used as a political weapon. Special counsels and independent prosecutors must be selected in a way that removes them from political influence.
2. Equal enforcement of the law – If corruption is a crime, it must be prosecuted equally, whether the accused is a Democrat or a Republican. No more selective prosecutions.
3. Greater transparency – Americans deserve to know why cases are dropped or pursued. No more vague appeals to “policy priorities” that serve as cover for political favoritism.
4. Prosecutorial accountability – If DOJ officials abuse their power for political ends, they must be held accountable. This includes potential criminal penalties for prosecutors who knowingly engage in political prosecutions.

Until these changes happen, the justice system will continue to be a political tool, used to punish enemies and protect allies.

Final Thoughts: A Republic at Risk

This isn’t just about Eric Adams. This is about whether the justice system serves the American people or the political elite.

Today, Adams benefits. Tomorrow, it could be someone else—based not on their guilt or innocence, but on their political utility. This is not the system our Founding Fathers envisioned. A true republic is one where laws apply equally, regardless of politics. If we accept anything less, we’ve already lost what made America different from the corrupt governments we once opposed.

The rule of law must be restored. Otherwise, we’re no longer a nation of laws—we’re a nation ruled by the whims of those in power. And that is the first step toward tyranny.