After his arrest on, inter alia, federal drug charges, petitioner Wade gave law enforcement officials information that led them to arrest another drug dealer. Subsequently, he pleaded guilty to the charges, and the District Court sentenced him to the 10-year minimum sentence required by 21 U.S.C. 841 (b)(1)(B) and the United States Sentencing Commission, Guidelines Manual (USSG). The court refused Wades request that his sentence be reduced below the minimum to reward him for his substantial assistance to the Government, holding that 18 U.S.C. 3553 (e) and USSG 5K1.1 empower the district courts to make such a reduction only if the Government files a motion requesting the departure. The Court of Appeals affirmed, rejecting Wades arguments that the District Court erred in holding that the absence of a Government motion deprived it of the authority to reduce his sentence and that the lower court was authorized to enquire into the Governments motives for failing to file a motion.

Held:

1. Federal district courts have the authority to review the Governments