Top Manhattan prosecutor promises to expand fraud team in response to changes in DOJ under Trump.

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton reassured the legal community that concerns about federal prosecutors being sidetracked by President Donald Trumps focus on immigration and drug enforcement are unwarranted. Addressing white-collar lawyers in New York, Clayton emphasized, Were going to expand our white-collar team so those professionals can continue to handle cases, including helping clients with major financial obligations like college tuition.

The Southern District of New York (SDNY) has traditionally operated with considerable independence from the Justice Department, giving it the flexibility to pursue cases locally. Clayton highlighted the balance his office maintains between ongoing financial crime investigations, such as the recent indictment of executives at 777 Partners, and national priorities like fentanyl enforcement and managing sensitive matters such as the release of documents connected to Jeffrey Epstein.

Clayton also addressed the challenge of presidential pardons for politically connected individuals under Trump. While he did not discuss specific cases, he stressed the strength of the U.S. constitutional system, noting that every branch of government is subject to checks. He referenced former Supreme Court Justice Robert Jackson, stating, We are not final because we are infallible. We are infallible because we are final. The courts have the final word, and in the case of pardons, the president has the final word.

Author: Grace Ellison