Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs trial at impasse as US Attorney resigns
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ trial has taken another turn as Damian Williams, the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, has announced that he’ll be stepping down from his position. It’s a decision which may have a longer term effect on the case of Combs.
The resignation comes ahead of Donald Trump stepping into office in January, with Williams previously being involved in other high-profile cases including Ghislaine Maxwell, senator Bob Menendez and FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried.
The news was announced on November 25th when Combs was expecting to hear back about the outcome of his third request for bond. It’s unclear what this might mean for Combs’ trial, which is set to begin in May 2025, with the Bad Boy boss facing sex trafficking and racketeering charges.
“Today is a bittersweet day for me, as I announce my resignation as United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York,” 44-year-old Williams said in a statement announcing the change of career. “It is bitter in the sense that I am leaving my dream job, leading an institution I love that is filled with the finest public servants in the world.”
He continued, “It is sweet in that I am confident I am leaving at a time when the Office is functioning at an incredibly high level—upholding and exceeding its already high standard of excellence, integrity, and independence.” Following his departure, effective December 13th, Deputy United States Attorney Edward Kim will become the Acting United States Attorney.
Combs is currently jailed at the Metropolitan Detention Center after being arrested and indicted in September by the Southern District of New York. He has pled not guilty to a number of charges, including racketeering, sex trafficking by force and transportation for purposes of prostitution.
Earlier this month, Combs had his gag order appeal rejected as he attempted to silence potential witnesses in his criminal sex trafficking case. Judge Arun Subramanian ruled that Combs’ concerns didn’t overpower an alleged victim’s right to free speech.
“Combs’ authorities don’t support a gag order applicable not only to trial participants but also to any alleged victim and their lawyer,” the judge wrote. “Less restrictive alternatives must be considered and rejected before imposing a restraint on speech.”