Dale Ho, a former civil rights attorney and voting rights advocate, now finds himself presiding over one of the most politically charged cases of his judicial career. As a federal judge in Manhattan, Ho will decide whether to dismiss the corruption case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams—an explosive legal showdown that has ignited concerns over the Justice Department’s independence under the Trump administration.
The Justice Department, now led by Trump-appointed officials, ordered prosecutors to drop the bribery charges against Adams, arguing that the case was a distraction from the mayor’s role in assisting Trump’s immigration policies. This move prompted several prosecutors to resign in protest. Ho has scheduled a hearing to assess whether dismissing the case aligns with public interest, a decision that could have deep political ramifications.
Born in San Jose, California, to Filipino immigrants, Ho’s background is steeped in a commitment to civil rights. His grandfather survived the Bataan Death March during World War II, an experience that Ho has credited with shaping his perspective on democracy and justice. A Princeton and Yale Law graduate, he previously led the ACLU’s voting rights project, where he successfully challenged attempts to add a citizenship question to the 2020 census.
Ho’s nomination to the federal bench by President Joe Biden in 2023 was met with fierce resistance from Republicans, particularly over past social media posts criticizing conservative policies. During his confirmation, he apologized for what he described as “overheated rhetoric” but assured the Senate that his approach on the bench would be impartial and grounded in the principles of equal justice.
Now, with Adams’ political future hanging in the balance, all eyes are on Ho as he navigates the legal and political minefield ahead.
