Key facts
- Damian Williams, Donald Trump's nominee for Manhattan US attorney, is seen by internal prosecutors as providing standard client service.
- Some Democratic senators have expressed concerns about Williams's past role as Trump's personal attorney.
- Williams's approach is described as contrasting with more combative legal styles.
- Former US Attorney Preet Bharara praised Williams's legal acumen.
- Williams has deflected questions about controversial Trump administration actions, such as presidential pardons.
Damian Williams, selected by Donald Trump for the Manhattan US attorney position, is reportedly calming fears within the office regarding political interference. While some Democratic senators, including Elizabeth Warren, have voiced concerns about Williams's past role as Trump's personal attorney, prosecutors within the Southern District of New York view his representation as standard service for a white-collar client. This approach is seen as distinct from the more aggressive tactics employed by some of Trump's other legal representatives.
Despite internal reassurances, the Trump administration's past actions have led some to question even those they consider standard-bearers. Preet Bharara, the former US attorney who initially hired Williams at SDNY, lauded him as a "very smart, very credentialed lawyer" but also expressed disappointment with how some lawyers he respected had acted in recent years.