US prosecutor who has investigated Trump lawyer refuses to resign

A top US federal prosecutor whose office has been investigating President Donald Trump's personal lawyer, Rudolph Giuliani, on Friday refused to step down after the administration abruptly said it was replacing him.

The dramatic standoff comes as Trump seeks to purge officials perceived as not fully supporting him. In recent weeks he has fired a series of agency watchdogs, including one who played a key role in Trump's impeachment earlier this year.

It also marks the latest in series of unusual actions by Attorney General William Barr that critics say are meant to benefit Trump politically and undermine the independence of the Justice Department.

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Earlier in a surprise late-night announcement, Barr said the US Attorney in Manhattan, Geoffrey Berman, was stepping down and that he would nominate Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Jay Clayton to take Berman's spot.

Berman, who leads a powerful office known for prosecuting high-profile terrorism cases, Wall Street financial crimes and government corruption, said he first learned of the move from Barr's press release and would not go quietly.

Berman said he had no intention of resigning.

Since being appointed in January 2018, Berman has not shied from taking on figures in Trump's orbit. His office oversaw the prosecution of Michael Cohen, Trump's former personal lawyer, indicted two Giuliani associates and launched a probe into Giuliani in connection with his efforts to dig up dirt on Trump's political adversaries in Ukraine.
Prosecutors have not accused Giuliani of wrongdoing.

Berman's abrupt attempted dismissal came as the Justice Department asks a federal court to block publication of a book by former National Security Adviser John Bolton, whose claims include an allegation Trump tried to interfere with a probe overseen by Berman's office.

Berman replaced Preet Bharara, who was himself fired as US Attorney in early 2017 soon after Trump became president.

While the Senate considers Clayton's nomination, Trump has appointed Craig Carpenito, the US Attorney for the District of New Jersey, as the acting US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Barr said in his statement.

But it was not clear whether Barr can force Berman out.

Berman was never confirmed by the Senate, the usual process for appointing US Attorneys, and was instead appointed by the judges of the district in accordance with a US law that says he can serve until the vacancy is filled.

(with inputs from Reuters)