A historic chapter in the Southern District of New York's leadership comes to an end as the first Black U.S. Attorney announces his departure.
According to USA TODAY, Damian Williams, Manhattan's top federal prosecutor, will resign on December 13 after leading numerous high-profile cases during his transformative three-year tenure.
Williams, 44, leaves behind a legacy of significant prosecutions and institutional reforms since his confirmation in 2021. His deputy, Edward Kim, will take over as acting U.S. attorney following his departure. The announcement comes as former President Donald Trump names Jay Clayton, the former SEC chair during his first term, as his nominee to lead the prestigious office.
During his tenure, Williams secured several notable convictions that garnered national attention. His office successfully prosecuted FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried, who received a 25-year prison sentence for stealing $8 billion from customers of his cryptocurrency exchange. The case was described by Williams as one of the largest financial frauds in U.S. history.
In a statement regarding his departure, Williams expressed mixed emotions about leaving his position:
It is bitter in the sense that I am leaving my dream job, leading an institution I love that is filled with the finest public servants in the world. It is sweet in that I am confident I am leaving at a time when the office is functioning at an incredibly high level – upholding and exceeding its already high standard of excellence, integrity, and independence.
The office's recent prosecutions include charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams for alleged bribery and fraud, making him the first sitting mayor to face criminal charges. Additionally, Williams' team brought charges against music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs for alleged racketeering and sex trafficking.
Williams implemented significant structural changes during his leadership, establishing the Civil Rights Unit within SDNY's criminal division. This new unit focused on strengthening civil rights enforcement throughout the jurisdiction.
His commitment to justice reform extended to addressing systemic issues in the correctional system. Williams took unprecedented steps by seeking to appoint a receiver for Rikers Island to tackle ongoing violence and dysfunction at the notorious facility.
Before his appointment as U.S. Attorney, Williams led the Securities and Commodities Fraud Task Force in the SDNY. His earlier career included successful prosecutions of former Congressman Christopher Collins and former New York State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver for various financial crimes.
The transition marks a significant moment in the office's history, as Williams broke barriers as the first Black prosecutor to lead the Southern District of New York. His appointment was part of President Biden's initiative to diversify federal prosecutors, contrasting with the previous administration's appointments, which were predominantly white men.
Trump's nomination of Jay Clayton represents a potential return to familiar territory, as Clayton was previously nominated for the same position during Trump's first term. However, that nomination stalled following Trump's 2020 election loss.
The significance of the transition extends beyond personnel changes, as U.S. attorneys typically serve four-year terms subject to presidential discretion. The incoming leadership will inherit an office that has maintained its reputation for handling complex, high-profile cases.
Damian Williams concludes his tenure as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, leaving behind a transformed office and numerous landmark cases. His three-year leadership brought significant changes to the institution, from establishing new units to pursuing unprecedented prosecutions. The office faces a transition period as Edward Kim steps in as acting U.S. Attorney, while Trump's nominee Jay Clayton awaits potential confirmation.
