Jamaican-American US Attorney to leave office December 13

Jamaican-American United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Damian Williams, announced today that he will step down from that position on December 13.

His deputy, Edward Kim, will take over on an acting basis after his departure.

According to a news release from the attorney's office, "US Attorney Damian Williams said on Monday that he plans to exit his current role at the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York at 11:59 p.m. on December 13, 2024.”

“Today is a bittersweet day for me, as I announce my resignation as United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York," Williams said in the release.

"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."

He continued, “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.”

His resignation will take effect ahead of Donald Trump's return to the US presidency.

Williams, the top federal prosecutor in Manhattan, secured convictions of high-profile defendants, including US Senator Bob Menendez and crypto mogul Sam Bankman-Fried, as well as brought federal charges against Sean 'P Diddy' Combs and New York City mayor Eric Adams,

Williams was appointed to the post in 2021 by outgoing Democratic President Joe Biden.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer recommended Williams, who had served as chief of the Manhattan office's Securities and Commodities Fraud Task Force prior to his current role.

US President-elect Donald Trump had said that he would be replacing Williams. Former securities and exchange commission chairman, Jay Clayton, is expected to get the post.

With his leaving, doubt hangs over the cases of Mayor Adams and P Diddy as to whether they will proceed under the new US Attorney.

Williams is the first black man to be appointed United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York in its more than 200 years of existence.

A second generation Jamaican, Williams was confirmed by the United States Senate in 2021 to head one of the most powerful US Attorney's offices in the United States.

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