BY SCOTT LEFFLER
scott.leffler@allwnynews.com
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer said on Friday he was “troubled to learn of reports of requests” from U.S. Attorneys “particluarly that of Preet Bharara.”
Bharara was fired today by the Trump administration after refusing to resign his post along with 45 other U.S. Attorneys — all holdovers from the Obama administration.
Schumer pointed out on Facebook that it is not unusual for incoming administrations to clear house of previous administrations’ appointments to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, he had been told by then-President-Elect Trump that Bharara was asked to stay on — which Bharara had also claimed.
Schumer concluded, “By asking for the immediate resignation of every remaining U.S. Attorney before their replacements have been confirmed or even nominated, the President is interrupting ongoing cases and investigations and hindering the administration of justice.”
Bharara, who successfully convicted New York Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos and Assemblyman Speaker Sheldon Silver in separate corruption cases, resulting in their removal from office. reportedly has cases pending against the Andrew Cuomo administration. What will become of those cases now is unknown.
