'When you look at the timing of this ... and you look at all the important pending cases in the SDNY right now, the only logical conclusion to me is that this is a political move,' Elie Honig, a former assistant U.S. attorney for the district, told NPR.
While Berman is pushing back against leaving his post, Barr's statement indicated that Trump has already appointed an interim replacement for Berman. The attorney general said that effective July 3, Craig Carpenito, the current U.S. attorney for the District of New Jersey, would take over until Clayton is confirmed.
Under Berman's watch, his office aggressively investigated and prosecuted Trump"fixer" Michael Cohen, who ultimately pleaded guilty to financial crimes, lying to Congress and campaign finance crimes. And Berman's office has investigated the business dealings of Giuliani himself, but no charges have been brought against him.
Honig said that if the Trump administration wishes to push the matter further — over Berman's stated objection and without Senate confirmation of his replacement — it's likely to end up in the courts.
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