Sources: White House ordered firing of L.A. federal prosecutor on ex-Fatburger CEO case

Los Angeles Times - Mar 30th, 2025
Open on Los Angeles Times

A federal prosecutor in Los Angeles, Adam Schleifer, was dismissed following intervention by the White House at the request of lawyers defending Andrew Wiederhorn, a fast-food executive facing charges of financial misconduct. Schleifer received the notice via an email stating the decision was made 'on behalf of President Donald J. Trump.' The move has raised concerns about political influence in legal proceedings, as Schleifer was known for his critical views of Trump and was prosecuting Wiederhorn for allegedly using company funds for personal luxuries. Wiederhorn has pleaded not guilty, and his defense team had been pushing for the charges to be dropped, questioning the legal basis of the case.

The firing has sparked outrage among legal professionals, with fears that it might deter federal prosecutors from pursuing cases against individuals with political connections. The incident highlights ongoing tensions regarding the perceived politicization of the Department of Justice under Trump's administration. Critics argue that the dismissal could undermine the integrity of the justice system by intimidating prosecutors from holding influential figures accountable. Schleifer's firing follows a pattern of actions by the administration perceived as targeting those seen as political adversaries, further complicating the already contentious relationship between the executive branch and federal law enforcement agencies.

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RATING

5.8
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article provides a compelling narrative about the alleged political motivations behind the firing of a federal prosecutor, but it relies heavily on anonymous sources and lacks direct evidence for some key claims. While the story is timely and addresses issues of significant public interest, such as the independence of the justice system and political influence, the lack of transparency and reliance on speculative elements affect its overall credibility. The article is generally clear and engaging, though its complexity might limit its accessibility to readers without a background in legal or political matters. Despite these limitations, the story has the potential to provoke meaningful discussions and highlight important issues related to justice and government accountability.

RATING DETAILS

6
Accuracy

The story presents a series of factual claims that require verification, such as the firing of Adam Schleifer at the behest of the White House and the alleged political motivations behind it. The accuracy of these claims depends heavily on anonymous sources, which, while potentially reliable, lack the concrete evidence that would solidify their truthfulness. The article mentions an email stating the termination was "on behalf of President Donald J. Trump," but without direct evidence or confirmation from official sources like the White House or DOJ, this remains unverified. The story also discusses Wiederhorn's indictment and past legal issues, which are verifiable through court records. However, the claims about political donations and their influence on the case are speculative without solid documentation. Overall, while the narrative aligns with known facts about the individuals involved, the reliance on anonymous sources and lack of direct evidence for key claims affects the story's accuracy.

5
Balance

The article primarily presents the perspective that Schleifer's firing was politically motivated, supported by quotes from anonymous sources and a former prosecutor. However, it lacks a balanced view by not sufficiently exploring alternative explanations for the firing, such as performance-related issues or internal DOJ policies. The inclusion of Wiederhorn's defense attorney's perspective offers some balance, but the article could benefit from more diverse viewpoints, such as comments from DOJ officials or those with differing interpretations of the events. The potential bias towards portraying the firing as a political act is evident, but the article does attempt to include some counterarguments, albeit minimally.

7
Clarity

The article is generally clear in its language and structure, providing a coherent narrative that outlines the main events and claims. It uses straightforward language and organizes information logically, making it relatively easy to follow. However, the inclusion of numerous anonymous sources and speculative claims can confuse readers about the certainty of the facts presented. While the article maintains a neutral tone in its writing style, the complexity of the legal and political issues discussed might require readers to have some background knowledge to fully grasp the implications of the story.

6
Source quality

The article relies heavily on anonymous sources, which raises questions about the reliability and credibility of the information presented. While anonymity can protect sources from retaliation, it also makes it difficult to assess their authority and potential biases. The story does include comments from a former federal prosecutor, which adds some credibility. However, the lack of on-the-record statements from the White House, DOJ, or other official entities limits the overall source quality. The article would benefit from a more diverse range of sources with verifiable credentials to enhance its reliability.

5
Transparency

The article lacks transparency in terms of disclosing the basis for some of its claims, particularly those related to the motivations behind Schleifer's firing. While it cites anonymous sources, it does not provide sufficient context about these sources' potential biases or their proximity to the events described. The article also fails to clarify the methodology behind its reporting, such as how the information was obtained and verified. This lack of transparency makes it challenging for readers to fully understand the foundation of the article's claims and assess their credibility independently.

Sources

  1. https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-03-29/los-angeles-federal-prosecutor-fired
  2. https://adamschleifer.com/category/news/
  3. https://www.latimes.com/california