June 25, 2025 – New York, NY
In a major shift following nearly a month of trial, the U.S. government has formally withdrawn several of the most serious charges in its federal case against Sean “Diddy” Combs, including attempted kidnapping and aiding sex trafficking, according to a newly filed letter to Judge Arun Subramanian.
The eight-page filing, dated June 24 and signed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, proposes significant edits to the jury instructions and confirms that the prosecution will no longer pursue charges tied to three critical theories: attempted kidnapping, attempted arson under California law, and aiding and abetting sex trafficking.
“The Government is no longer planning to proceed on these theories of liability so instructions are no longer necessary,” the letter states, clarifying the sudden shift in prosecutorial focus.
The decision arrives on the heels of 28 days of courtroom testimony and intense cross-examination, and appears aimed at streamlining the jury’s deliberations. The government claims it is trying to avoid “confusion” and “serve the purposes of streamlining,” particularly regarding Count One—believed to be central to the case.
Government Still Insists on Sex Trafficking Instructions
Despite dropping some theories, the government remains adamant that the jury receive detailed legal instruction on sex trafficking and forced labor.
“Each of these instructions reflect established case law and are directly relevant to key issues in the case,” the filing argues. “The Government has serious concerns that the jury may misunderstand the applicable law… which are extremely complex legal concepts about which jurors may have preconceived, mistaken notions.”
The prosecution points to long-standing precedent in the Second Circuit that supports their request for additional jury guidance, pushing back against defense arguments that the instructions are “unbalanced.”
“The defense repeatedly cites United States v. Dove… but Dove says nothing about instructions on well-established propositions of law, which is the only type of instructions that the Government is asking to add here,” the government wrote.
Implications for the Case
While not an exoneration, the government’s decision to walk away from some of its boldest allegations could signal a narrowing of the case or recognition of evidentiary limitations after four weeks of testimony. The charges dropped—particularly the “aiding and abetting sex trafficking” theory—have generated the most public scrutiny and media attention since the indictment was unsealed.
This pivot now puts added weight on what remains: the central sex trafficking and forced labor allegations, as well as the overarching conspiracy count. With the jury soon to be instructed, these changes are likely to influence the shape of closing arguments and juror perception.
Deliberations are expected to begin on Thursday.
