Eric Adams, the mayor of New York City, was once seen as a prominent figure in the Democratic Party, holding a reputation as a former police captain committed to addressing violent crime and enjoying significant support among middle-class Black and Latino constituents. However, his standing began to deteriorate shortly after assuming office due to a federal corruption investigation. Currently, his reputation is severely damaged, with critics accusing him of prioritizing his own interests by aligning with President Donald Trump.
Critics assert that Adams has made a questionable agreement with the Trump administration, allegedly accepting to intensify efforts against illegal immigration in exchange for dropping federal corruption charges. Adams has refuted claims of such a deal. Nonetheless, some former Democratic supporters express concern that he may be prioritizing his personal interests over the welfare of the city’s 8 million residents, leading to calls for his resignation.
Michael Weinstein, a former Department of Justice trial attorney, currently the head of white-collar defense at Cole Schotz, commented, “He’s put New York City up for sale and Trump is the highest bidder.”
The controversy traces back to September, when Adams faced charges of bribery, fraud, and conspiracy related to a scheme involving foreign campaign donations from Turkey’s government. Adams pleaded not guilty to these charges, but the allegations adversely affected his approval ratings and damaged his re-election prospects.
Despite Adams’ denial of any arrangement, he has faced criticism for his public opposition to then-president Joe Biden’s immigration policies, particularly his complaint about the strain caused by 100,000 asylum seekers on New York City. This stance seemingly led to an unexpected alliance with Trump, who expressed support for Adams, claiming his punishment was due to his tough stance on migration.
Rumors intensified when Adams traveled to Florida for a meeting with Trump at Mar-a-Lago and attended the president’s inauguration event. In a surprising development, Emil Bove, the acting deputy attorney-general and a former criminal defense lawyer for Trump, ordered the dismissal of the charges against Adams, citing that they hindered his ability to address illegal immigration and violent crime issues. This decision was criticized as it was perceived as aligning with Trump’s political objectives.
Danielle Sassoon, the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, resigned in protest, arguing that dismissing the charges would set a dangerous precedent. The Southern District prosecutor’s office, known for its independence, displayed resistance to this decision. Hank Sheinkopf, a political strategist, indicated the strong protection of integrity within the office, describing it as the “jewel of the federal prosecutor system.”
Sassoon further alleged that Adams’ legal team had proposed dropping charges in exchange for his support in enforcing federal immigration laws. This purported arrangement sparked concerns, as it was seen as an implicit threat of future prosecution contingent on Adams’ compliance.
The Department of Justice’s request was presented before a federal judge in Manhattan, where the motion was framed as a “standard exercise of prosecutorial discretion.” Adams, in court, denied any agreement with prosecutors and acknowledged the possibility of the charges being reinstated.
Judge Dale Ho postponed Adams’ trial but did not immediately dismiss the charges. Instead, former US solicitor-general Paul Clement was appointed to review the case further, delaying any final decision on dismissal until mid-March.
Calls for Adams’ resignation intensified as four deputies from his administration resigned, signaling waning internal support. Adrienne Adams, the speaker of the city council (unrelated to the mayor), criticized the instability and potential risks to the city’s autonomy, urging the mayor to resign.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced she would not remove Adams but would enhance oversight of his office, highlighting the potential threat from Washington and expressing concerns over the situation. Many New Yorkers are apprehensive about Adams potentially compromising local laws and the city’s status as a “sanctuary city” to favor Trump’s immigration agenda, with experts like Richard Briffault suggesting this deal compromises the city’s independently adopted laws and authorities.
