President Donald Trump had asked the Manhattan federal prosecutor to stay on before U. S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions asked for his resignation.
NEW YORK — An outspoken Manhattan federal prosecutor known for crusading against public corruption says he was fired after refusing to resign.
Preet Bharara announced in a tweet Saturday afternoon that he was fired: “I did not resign. Moments ago I was fired.”
I did not resign. Moments ago I was fired. Being the US Attorney in SDNY will forever be the greatest honor of my professional life.
— Preet Bharara (@PreetBharara) March 11, 2017
He went on to say in the tweet that being the U. S. attorney of the Southern District of New York will “forever be the greatest honor of my professional life.”
The 48-year-old Bharara was asked by then-President-elect President Donald Trump to remain as U. S. attorney in Manhattan during a November meeting at Trump Tower.
Bharara was appointed by former President Barack Obama in 2009. In frequent public appearances, Bharara has decried public corruption after successfully prosecuting over a dozen state lawmakers, Democrats and Republicans alike.
The Justice Department declined comment Saturday.
