Federal Prosecutor Resigns Over Trump-Appointed Freeze Order

Denise Cheung, the head of the criminal division at the U.S. Attorney's office in D.C., resigned after refusing to comply with orders from Trump-appointed officials to freeze assets related to Biden administration environmental grants, citing insufficient evidence. Cheung's resignation highlights tensions within the Justice Department, as she expressed a commitment to ethical legal practices in her letter. This incident follows a wave of resignations from prosecutors opposing directives perceived as politically motivated, including a recent case involving New York City Mayor Eric Adams. Sources indicate that the grants in question were part of a $20 billion initiative for climate and clean-energy projects. A DOJ spokesperson dismissed Cheung's refusal as a failure to adhere to the chain of command, emphasizing the ongoing turmoil within the department. The situation underscores concerns about the politicization of prosecutorial actions under the current administration.