Eric Adams, a retired police captain who was elected the 110th mayor of New York City about three years ago with the promise of controlling crime, was indicted in a federal corruption investigation last September. Prosecutors, then from the Biden administration, presented a strong case involving fraud, receiving campaign money from foreigners, bribery of federal programs, among others.
But as soon as Donald Trump took office in January of this year, the course of the indictment began to change. Adams, a Democrat, started talking with Trump, who immediately offered to end the process against the mayor. On Monday (10), the head of the Department of Justice sent a memorandum ordering prosecutors in the case to drop the charges against the mayor.
This happened after Adams met with Thomas Homan, the Trump administration’s ‘border czar’, and announced that from now on the city would allow ICE’s presence at Riker Island prison, a clear demonstration that he is willing to collaborate with Trump’s plans against immigration.
New York City is a sanctuary city and, therefore, does not assist or cooperate with ICE in its operations.
The apparent ‘quid pro quo’ between the mayor and the city government has generated controversy and much contestation from many city politicians.
On Thursday (13), acting U.S. Attorney in Manhattan, Danielle Sassoon, resigned in protest against what she described as a ‘quid pro quo’ between the Trump administration and the mayor of New York City. Five officials overseeing the public integrity unit of the Department of Justice in Washington resigned shortly thereafter.
Pressure for Resignation or Dismissal
Many local politicians argue that Adams can no longer represent the interests of New York City residents and are calling for his resignation.
“As long as Trump exerts this influence over Adams, the city will be in danger,” said Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Thursday in a post on X. “We cannot be governed under coercion. If Adams does not resign, he must be removed.”
Governor Kathy Hochul did not rule out on Thursday (13) the use of her authority to remove the mayor from office.
In an interview on MSNBC, Hochul, a Democrat, called the allegations “extremely concerning and serious.” And when host Rachel Maddow asked if she was considering using her legal power to expel Adams from the mayor’s office, the governor said she would not make any “impulsive and politically motivated reaction.”
But Hochul left the door open to exercising her authority, saying she was “consulting other government leaders at this time.”
“This just happened,” said the governor. “I need some time to process this and figure out the right approach.”
Sources: Gothamist and The New York Times