Senator Patrick Leahy, Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, cast aspersions over the independence of the Justice Department.
are allowed to stay on the job until their successor is confirmed," Schumer said.
Senator Patrick Leahy, Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, cast aspersions over the independence of the Justice Department.
"The abrupt, Friday night firing of all remaining US Attorneys -- including Preet Bharara, a well respected, tough prosecutor who the President promised could stay -- is another reminder that the independence of the Justice Department is at risk under this administration," he said.
Leahy noted that the President and Attorney General demanded resignations immediately, not even allowing them to remain until successors are nominated and confirmed.
"The Senate will now have to carefully evaluate the President's selected replacements," Leahy said.
"They will have a high bar to prove they have the necessary courage and fidelity to the law, like Sally Yates, to say 'no' to a President who will need to hear it regularly," he said.
Bharara's firing from office also attracted a furious reaction from the South Asian Bar Association (SABA).
"Following previous reports that Mr Bharara was asked to remain in his role as US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, the SABA of North America is disappointed in the President's decision to terminate him this morning," said SABA president Vichal Kumar.
"A member, supporter and friend of SABA, Mr Bharara's legacy is one that South Asian legal professionals and the greater legal community can only hope to emulate," he said.
"His dedication to public service throughout his career is exemplified by his devotion to protecting the rights of all communities and not shying away from the toughest challenges.
We are proud of his accomplishments and wish him the best of luck," Kumar said.
Bharara has made a national and international mark for himself with many high-profile cases and investigations including foreign countries, insider trading and those involving US politicians. It was under his prosecution that India-born former Goldman Sachs director Rajat Gupta was convicted for insider trading in 2012.
Bharara has served 7 years as the US attorney for the Southern District of New York, a jurisdiction that includes the Trump Tower.
(This article has not been edited by DNA's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)
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