Head of Drug Trafficking and Organized Crime Unit ‘Stunned’ as Trump DOJ Dismisses Him with Brief Memo
Adam Cohen, the head of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces, was unexpectedly dismissed from his position. The termination was communicated through a brief two-sentence memo signed by Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove.
The memo announced the consolidation of Cohen’s task force with the Project Safe Neighborhoods Program, forming a new initiative titled “Operation Take Back America.” Cohen expressed his surprise at the abrupt termination, noting that he had been actively collaborating on violent crime initiatives and had recently assisted in drafting a memorandum related to the new operation.
Reflecting on his 34-year career, Cohen emphasized his commitment to impartial justice, stating that his personal politics had never influenced his work until this unexpected dismissal.
This action is part of a broader pattern within the Justice Department, which has recently seen the removal or sidelining of several career officials. Notably, three assistant U.S. attorneys in the Southern District of New York were placed on administrative leave, and other officials, including pardon attorney Liz Oyer and FOIA overseer Bobak Talebian, were also dismissed.