NEW YORK, Feb 18 (Reuters) - A federal judge on Tuesday ordered U.S. prosecutors to appear in court this week to address why they are seeking to dismiss criminal charges filed against New York Mayor Eric Adams.
The hearing comes after a Justice Department official appointed by Republican President Donald Trump ordered prosecutors to seek dismissal of the case. At least a half-dozen federal prosecutors resigned rather than obey the order, but other officials eventually formally sought dismissal on Friday.
U.S. District Judge Dale Ho, an appointee of former Democratic President Joe Biden, ordered the parties to appear at a hearing on Wednesday at 2 p.m. EST (1900 GMT) to discuss the matter.
Neither Adams' lawyer nor the Justice Department immediately responded to requests for comment.
Four deputies to Adams said on Monday they planned to resign in a withdrawal of support for the embattled Democratic mayor, who has warmed to Trump since being indicted last year on charges of taking bribes from Turkish officials. He has pleaded not guilty.
New York state Governor Kathy Hochul, who has the power to remove Adams, said in a statement on Monday night that she would meet with key leaders in Manhattan on Tuesday to discuss "the path forward."
"Overturning the will of the voters is a serious step that should not be taken lightly," said Hochul, also a Democrat. "That said, the alleged conduct at City Hall that has been reported over the past two weeks is troubling and cannot be ignored."