Serving Barnwell County and its neighbors since 1852
The Trump Administration fired South Carolina’s chief federal law enforcement official, who has local roots, as part of a plan to appoint new federal prosecutors.
Adair Ford Boroughs, a native of Williston, was sworn in as U.S. Attorney for the District of South Carolina in July 2022, following her nomination by then-President Joe Biden and confirmation by the U.S. Senate. However, she received an email on Sunday evening, Feb. 16 stating she was terminated effective immediately.
“It has been the honor of my career to return to the Department of Justice and to serve alongside the men and women of the U.S. Attorney’s Office,” said Boroughs. “The career men and women of this office work tirelessly day in and day out to meet the Department’s mission — to uphold the rule of Law, keep our country safe, and protect civil rights. It has been my honor to support them in this critical and patriotic work however I could for as long as I could. To my colleagues, our law enforcement partners, and our South Carolina community, thank you for trusting me with this work.”
While she expected to lose her job, which is common practice during changes in presidents, Boroughs said there is usually more notice and time for a transition.
Typically, she said the new administration will reach out prior to inauguration and ask the U.S. Attorney to resign by a certain date.
However, she was given no warning. Her access to office devices was cut off two days before she received the official email regarding termination.
Under the Vacancies Reform Act, First Assistant U.S. Attorney Brook B. Andrews is now the Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of South Carolina. As Acting U.S. Attorney, Andrews is the chief federal law enforcement official in the state of South Carolina until a permanent replacement is appointed.
Though she’s sad to leave her position, Boroughs said she is proud of the work that she and her team accomplished.
“It gave me the chance to effect change in my community,” said Boroughs.
As United States Attorney, Boroughs oversaw a staff that included approximately 140 attorneys and support personnel.
During her tenure, Boroughs prioritized enforcement of federal civil rights laws and partnering with local, state, and federal law enforcement to address violent crime.
“I believe we made some good progress that made an impact in the state that I love,” said Boroughs.
The office secured five federal hate crime convictions and hosted seven United Against Hate events around the state in partnership with FBI Columbia to educate the public on the existence of a federal hate crime statute and encourage the reporting of hate crime incidents.
South Carolina is one of two states without its own hate crime law, but crimes can be reported to the federal level. Boroughs prioritized the prosecution of offenders driving violence in South Carolina communities and recognized the value of local partners in identifying these offenders.
Under her tenure, the office announced multi-defendant indictments and takedowns disrupting gun trafficking rings, illegal narcotics operations, and gang violence. She oversaw multiple human trafficking, child exploitation, and white-collar prosecutions, including the recent indictment and extradition of a Nigerian national for a sextortion scheme resulting in the death of a 17-year-old Gavin Guffey.
“When these predators are overseas it can be very difficult to hold them accountable. I am happy to give one family closure because I’ve had to sit down with other families and say we can’t get the guy,” said Boroughs.
She hopes whoever is selected by President Trump to lead the office will listen to the career men and women who have dedicated their careers to justice and safety. She said she tried to support her team whenever they had suggestions.
“They are incredible public servants working nights and weekends to keep us safe. They deserve gratitude and respect. They are smart, dedicated and full of integrity. Be a shield for them from the politics and D.C.,” she said.
Originally from Williston, Boroughs grew up in a double-wide trailer and earned a degree in mathematics and a prestigious Truman Scholarship at Furman University. After teaching math in South Carolina public schools for several years, she attended Stanford Law School with the original intention of getting involved in education policy.
Her interest shifted during law school after becoming “outraged” with people who cheated the tax system, she said. She worked in the Department of Justice’s elite tax division before returning to South Carolina to clerk for U.S. District Court Judge Richard Gergel where she worked on the trial of Dylann Roof, who was convicted and sentenced to death for the massacre of nine parishioners at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston.
Following her clerkship, Boroughs started her own public interest law firm before making an unsuccessful run for Congress against U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson in the 2nd Congressional District.
Along every step of her career, Boroughs has carried her rural roots with her. The lessons she learned growing up in Williston have kept her “grounded” as she often finds herself in rooms where no one has her background.
They come from larger cities that don’t have the sense of community she had in her hometown, she said.
“I take it very seriously about taking those voices and perspectives to the room,” she said of remembering those in small, rural communities.
She wears a bracelet given to her when she spoke at Ned Branch Missionary Baptist Church in Barnwell. The bracelet has the coordinates of Williston and says “The Beginning” inscribed on it.
“I bring Williston with me everywhere I go,” she said.
While many people in her position go to a firm after leaving office, she wants to stay in the public sector.
Though she’s unsure of exactly where she will go, she knows she wants to serve and use her skills for good.
“What problem to work on next. I think of myself as a problem solver,” she said.
Regardless of her next position, Boroughs will always carry her Williston roots and love for her hometown with her.
