Power Grab/Fire anyone who can stop him
The Justice Department fires the fraud-section prosecutor who withdrew from the Adani bribery case
Andrew Tyler, an acting assistant chief in the Criminal Division, was one of 2 career prosecutors who asked to withdraw after a political appointee moved to dismiss the case; his letter cited Article II.
What happened
On Tuesday, September 8, 2026, the Justice Department removed Andrew Tyler, an acting assistant chief in the Criminal Division’s fraud section, NBC News first reported and CBS News confirmed. Tyler was one of 2 career prosecutors who asked to withdraw from the Gautam Adani bribery and securities fraud case 2 days after Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General Trent McCotter moved in May to dismiss it.
No career prosecutor signed the motion to dismiss the Adani case. Tyler’s withdrawal letter cited Article II, and he was one of 2 career prosecutors who asked to leave the case rather than stay on it after Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General Trent McCotter moved in May to dismiss it.
Two sources told CBS the removal followed allegations of ethical violations, while another said he was never accused of wrongdoing and called it retaliation. Judge Nicholas Garaufis dismissed the charges against Adani but, on September 3, kept counts against co-defendants, finding the Justice Department’s reasons insufficient.
Who benefited
The Justice Department leadership that moved to dismiss the Adani case removes a career prosecutor who withdrew from it. No career prosecutor signed the dismissal motion. Adani personally had the charges against him dismissed, though counts against co-defendants were kept.
Who wanted something
Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General Trent McCotter moved in May to dismiss the Adani bribery and securities fraud case. Two career prosecutors asked to withdraw 2 days later. Judge Garaufis found the department’s reasons insufficient to dismiss the co-defendants’ charges, and Tyler’s removal came 5 days afterward.
Who lost out
Andrew Tyler lost his position after withdrawing from the case, and one source called it retaliation. Two sources told CBS the removal followed allegations of ethical violations; another said he was never accused of wrongdoing. His letter to withdraw cited Article II.
Why it matters
A career prosecutor who asked to leave a case rather than dismiss it was removed from the Justice Department. No career prosecutor signed the motion to dismiss. The department’s reason is disputed: two sources say ethics allegations, one says retaliation.