The US justice department has directed federal prosecutors to drop their corruption case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams. The decision, issued by Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove, claims that the indictment has “restricted” Adams’ ability to address issues such as illegal immigration and violent crime in the city.
A politically charged decision
The order follows Adams’ recent efforts to align more closely with President Donald Trump’s administration, including directing law enforcement to cooperate with federal immigration raids. Adams, a Democrat, denies discussing his case with Trump but has faced criticism for shifting his stance on immigration enforcement.
“You are directed, as authorized by the attorney general, to dismiss the pending charges,” Bove wrote in a memo to prosecutors. The memo states that the case could be reviewed again after the November 2025 mayoral election but instructs prosecutors to take no further investigative steps until then.
Charges against Adams
Adams had pleaded not guilty to five charges of accepting illegal campaign funds and gifts in exchange for political influence. The indictment, filed in September, alleges that Adams accepted more than $100,000 in illegal gifts from Turkish officials and private donors in exchange for favors, including assisting in the expedited approval of a Turkish consulate in New York City.
Federal prosecutors have not yet indicated whether they will comply with the justice department’s directive. Any decision to dismiss the case must be formally submitted to a judge for approval.
Legal and ethical concerns
Bove, who previously served as Trump’s defense lawyer, wrote that the decision to drop the case was made “without assessing the strength of the evidence or the legal theories on which the case is based.” He emphasized that the move was not a reflection on the integrity of prosecutors who originally brought the case.
However, legal experts have criticized the decision. Professor Stephen Gillers, a legal ethics expert at New York University, called the memo “a baseless and offensive slur against the former US attorney and the lawyers who worked on the Adams case.”
Adams’ attorney, Alex Spiro, welcomed the development, calling it a victory for the mayor. “As I said from the outset, the mayor is innocent—and he would prevail. Today he has,” Spiro said.
Broader implications
The justice department’s decision coincided with another controversial move by Trump. On the same day, the president directed the department to halt enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), which prohibits US companies from bribing foreign officials. Trump has long criticized the law, calling it “horrible” and arguing that it puts American businesses at a disadvantage compared to foreign competitors.
The developments highlight the increasingly blurred lines between law enforcement, politics, and governance under the Trump administration. While Adams’ supporters see the dropped charges as a relief, critics argue that the move sets a dangerous precedent for political interference in the justice system.
