NEW YORK — On Monday, the Justice Department instructed federal prosecutors to drop corruption charges against Eric Adams, the Mayor of New York City. This decision was notable as it diverged from traditional practices, suggesting that the ongoing case was hindering the mayor’s capacity to support the administration’s efforts against illegal immigration.
In a memo obtained by sources, Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove directed New York prosecutors to “dismiss” the bribery charges against Adams without delay. Bove clarified that this direction was not a reflection of the evidence’s strength but rather a result of the proximity of the prosecution to Adams’ reelection campaign. He argued it was detracting from the mayor’s focus on issues like illegal immigration and violent crime. “The pending prosecution has unduly restricted Mayor Adams’ ability to devote full attention and resources,” Bove stated.
The memo further instructed prosecutors in New York to refrain from pursuing any additional investigative actions against the mayor until after the upcoming mayoral election in November. However, it left the possibility open for charges to be reinstated later pending a thorough review. This move and justification—indicating that a prominent official might be too engaged in public duties to face criminal accountability—signify a significant break from the Justice Department’s customary practices. Historically, high-profile public figures, including former President Donald Trump, have been investigated without claims of needing to overlook accountability due to official engagements.
Adams’ attorney, Alex Spiro, articulated that the Justice Department’s directive validated the mayor’s innocence. “Now, thankfully, the mayor and New York can put this unfortunate and misguided prosecution behind them,” Spiro, who has also worked with high-profile clients like Elon Musk, said. Meanwhile, a representative for Danielle Sassoon, the acting U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, chose not to comment. The charges against Adams originated under the previous U.S. attorney, Damien Williams, who exited the role prior to Trump’s presidency.
This directive comes after months of speculation about whether Trump would intervene on Adams’ behalf. Adams was indicted in September on accusations of accepting bribes associated with travel and illegal campaign contributions from foreign individuals in exchange for influence. A centrist Democratic leader, Adams has noticeably shifted to the right since his indictment, displeasing some within his party.
Adams, who once promised to limit collaboration with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, has recently shown openness to altering the city’s sanctuary policies. He also committed not to publicly critique a president whose administration he previously referred to as “abusive.” There have been indications from the mayor suggesting that he believes Trump’s policies may benefit New York more than those at the forefront during Biden’s presidency.
In response, Democratic primary challengers have accused Adams of aligning with Trump out of a desire for leniency. “Instead of standing up for New Yorkers, Adams is standing up for precisely one person,” stated Brad Lander, the city’s comptroller and a mayoral contender. Zohran Mamdani, another municipal candidate, is requesting an inquiry into whether the mayor made any agreements with the Trump administration involving violations of city law.
Trump, who was convicted last year for falsifying business records in relation to a hush money payment, has previously displayed support for Adams, even hinting at the possibility of a pardon. He mentioned in December to reporters that the mayor was “treated pretty unfairly,” relating their experiences of being targeted for opposing Biden’s immigration policies. “I know what it’s like to be persecuted by the DOJ, for speaking out against open borders,” Trump remarked at a gathering in Manhattan attended by Adams.
Prosecutors in New York indicated that the investigation into Adams began before his disagreements with Biden over migrant funding. Notably, Bove’s memo reflected some of the complaints voiced by both Trump and Adams regarding the politicization of the case. “It cannot be ignored that Mayor Adams criticized the prior Administration’s immigration policies before the charges were filed,” Bove added.
The allegations against Adams include supposedly accepting illegal campaign contributions and extravagant travel benefits exceeding $100,000—this encompassed luxurious flights, hotel accommodations, and even a visit to a bathhouse—during his tenure as Brooklyn Borough President. The indictment specified that a Turkish official who facilitated these trips pressed Adams for favors, including lobbying the Fire Department for a diplomatic building to be ready for a presidential visit from Turkey.
Moreover, prosecutors claimed to possess evidence indicating that Adams guided campaign staff to seek foreign donations, subsequently disguising those contributions to meet eligibility for a program that matches small donations with public funds. According to federal law, foreign nationals are prohibited from contributing to U.S. election campaigns. Recently, on January 6, prosecutors affirmed that their investigation into Adams was still active, asserting they were “uncovering additional criminal conduct.”
The responsibility of executing the order to dismiss the charges will fall on Sassoon, who stepped into the role immediately after Trump’s inauguration. Initially intended to be a temporary position, Sassoon is awaiting Senate confirmation of Trump’s nominee, Jay Clayton, the former chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Additionally, federal investigators have been probing other senior aides to Adams. Before the mayor’s indictment, authorities had confiscated devices from a police commissioner, schools chancellor, and various deputy mayors, all of whom denied any misconduct before resigning.
In December, Ingrid Lewis-Martin, a key adviser to Adams, faced similar legal troubles, being indicted by a state prosecutor on claims that she and her son had accepted bribes totaling $100,000 linked to real estate developments.
