Bizarre events unfolded on Friday night over the leadership of the Southern District of New York.
The federal prosecutors' office in Manhattan, called the "Sovereign District of New York" for its renowned independence, was the focus of national attention.
It started when Bill Barr's Department of Justice announced that U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman would be "stepping down."
Legal experts were stunned and the internet worried about fascism.
But then Berman defiantly countered the DOJ and announced he had "no intention of resigning."
“I learned in a press release from the Attorney General tonight that I was ‘stepping down’ as United States Attorney. I have not resigned, and have no intention of resigning , my position, to which I was appointed by the Judges of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York,” Berman said in a statement.
“I will step down when a presidentially appointed nominee is confirmed by the Senate,” he explained.
“Until then, our investigations will move forward without delay or interruption,” he vowed.
The events escalated further when House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler (D-NY) urged Berman to testify on Wednesday.
America is right to expect the worst of Bill Barr, who has repeatedly interfered in criminal investigations on Trum… https://t.co/4SIDOhcABK— Rep. Nadler (@Rep. Nadler) 1592624373.0
Here's some of what people were saying about the situation:
Geoffrey. S. Berman. Is. A. Boss. https://t.co/Vlgew17nSJ— Tea Pain (@Tea Pain) 1592624344.0
Truth is stranger than fiction: It appears that Geoffrey Berman had no idea he was “stepping down” from SDNY. And,… https://t.co/yxvYb2PEYf— Joseph A. Bondy (@Joseph A. Bondy) 1592624120.0
Bravo. 👏⚖️ https://t.co/ZUNxTwtwLE— Mimi Rocah (@Mimi Rocah) 1592623245.0
Can somebody please get Berman on the phone?— julie k. brown (@julie k. brown) 1592624071.0
This is completely, of-the-rails bonkers https://t.co/S7yYD9mocb— Cody Fenwick (@Cody Fenwick) 1592623226.0
wow. that this is unfolding at 11pm on a Friday tells you all you need to know about what Trump & Barr were hoping… https://t.co/qQjvXOCYKu— Taniel (@Taniel) 1592624288.0
Berman not going quietly. Good for him. https://t.co/vZ8oUHAL3h— Jennifer Rodgers (@Jennifer Rodgers) 1592624479.0
Welcome to #TheResistance SDNY US Attorney Berman. https://t.co/EQdzslDpnT— Grant Stern (@Grant Stern) 1592624305.0
So, to recap. Barr to Berman: You’re fired. Berman: You can’t fire me. https://t.co/BmcmhYuGWu— Andrew Desiderio (@Andrew Desiderio) 1592624205.0
2. So as Berman noted in his statement, he's not going anywhere until the Senate confirms a replacement and it appe… https://t.co/HhRXUnK4Rw— Yashar Ali 🐘 (@Yashar Ali 🐘) 1592623881.0
It’s almost like you can’t just fire someone and somehow expect everyone to believe that they “resigned.” https://t.co/eM1W6e6BYD— Steve Vladeck (@Steve Vladeck) 1592622876.0
