Williams prosecuted New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Jeffrey Epstein Associate Ghislaine Maxwell, former Democratic New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez, and musician Sean “Diddy” Combs.

His prosecution of Adams rocked New York the most profoundly, and his resignation could have a considerable effect on the case as Adams grows closer to Trump. The president-elect nominated Jay Clayton as the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York.

“Today is a bittersweet day for me, as I announce my resignation as United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York,” Williams said in a statement. “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.  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.”

Williams was nominated to the position by President Joe Biden in 2021. He is a Democrat but has pursued cases from both parties. While assistant district attorney of New York, Williams helped secure the conviction of former New York State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, who was influential within the state Democratic Party, and toppling him shattered his hold over it.

Williams once said, “We are not focused on the right or the left. We are focused only on right and wrong.”

He has attributed his success to his staff in the Southern District of New York.

“That success is due to the career attorneys, staff members, and law enforcement agents of this Office. Working with them during my tenure has been a privilege of a lifetime. They are worthy custodians of this Office’s tradition of doing the right thing, the right way, for the right reasons. They are patriots. They are my family. And I will miss them dearly,” he said.

“I thank President Biden for nominating me as United States Attorney, and Attorney General Garland for leading the Department and supporting the Southern District of New York during my tenure,” Williams added. “It has been an honor to serve the American people.”

Willams departure will be official on Dec. 13, and Deputy U.S. Attorney Edward Y. Kim will take his position until Trump can appoint his choice.

Clayton previously served as chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission and wanted the position in 2020 when Trump tried to appoint him but failed. The previous attorney, Geoffrey Berman, wouldn’t agree to step down unless his deputy, Audrey Strauss, took the reins.

As for Adams’s case, neither Williams nor his deputy will lead it when the trial starts next year, which is likely a good development for Adams, who is battling against corruption charges while seeking reelection.