NEW YORK — Mayor Eric Adams of New York City expressed his intent to rebuild trust with the public on Tuesday, following the Justice Department’s surprising decision to drop the criminal corruption case against him. This unusual directive was characterized by officials as a move that would enable Adams to assist in the current administration’s immigration enforcement efforts.
In his first public statement since the federal prosecutors received orders to dismiss the charges, Mayor Adams emphasized his desire to “move past this unfortunate episode and concentrate on the city’s future.” He refrained from mentioning former President Donald Trump directly but acknowledged the Justice Department for its transparency and reaffirmed his commitment to prioritize his duties as mayor over personal interests.
His comments at City Hall came soon after Emil Bove, the acting Deputy Attorney General, announced plans for the dismissal of bribery charges against Adams “as soon as feasibly possible.” In an official two-page memo, Bove indicated that this decision was not based on the strength of the evidence, but rather on the assertion that the case was politically charged. He claimed that this dismissal would allow Adams to focus fully on issues such as illegal immigration and rising crime rates.
Initially viewed as a center-left candidate, Adams has shown a more centrist stance after facing indictment last month, even acknowledging Trump positively and hinting at rolling back certain protective measures for undocumented immigrants. Nevertheless, following the Justice Department’s memo, various critics began accusing him of aligning himself too closely with Trump’s agenda, with Rev. Al Sharpton, a notable supporter of Adams, suggesting that the mayor had been put in a difficult situation resembling political exploitation.
Democratic challengers of the mayor similarly expressed concern about Adams potentially prioritizing the interests of Trump’s administration over the needs of New Yorkers. When asked about the integrity of the mayor’s position, Governor Kathy Hochul offered an uncertain response, illustrating the growing unease surrounding Adams’s political maneuverings.
The implementation of the Justice Department’s directive will be handled by Danielle Sassoon, who stepped into the role of acting U.S. attorney in Manhattan shortly after Trump assumed office. She has not commented publicly and there are no indications about the next steps that will be taken. Previously, prosecutors involved in Adams’s case noted the robustness of their findings, accordingly rejecting claims made by the mayor regarding political motivations behind the prosecution.
Sassoon’s authority to contest the order is limited as she is subject to being replaced by the Department of Justice. Trump has nominated Jay Clayton, a former chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, for the position, pending Senate confirmation. While the charges against Adams are set to be dismissed, the memo stipulates that they could be reinstated post the upcoming mayoral election, contingent upon written agreement from Adams that allows prosecutors to revive the case if they see fit. This creates a continual threat of renewed legal challenges that could impact Adams’s dealings with the federal administration throughout his mayoralty.
Former chief of public corruption at the U.S. attorney’s office in Manhattan, Arlo Devlin-Brown, commented on the unusual nature of this case being reversed without new evidence, illustrating the rarity of such circumstances within the legal system.
Though uncertainty looms regarding future developments, Adams characterized the prosecution as an “unwarranted ordeal,” asserting that it had been inflated by media coverage. He insisted, “My true character is in my past actions, not in the headlines,” reaffirming his claim of innocence and commitment to uphold the law.
In September, federal authorities charged Adams with accepting illicit campaign funds and extravagant travel benefits exceeding $100,000 while serving as the borough president of Brooklyn. Charges included allegations that a Turkish official, who aided in facilitating trips, pressured Adams for various favors, including advocacy for a diplomatic building’s timely opening for a visit from Turkey’s president.
Prosecutors also indicated that there was conclusive evidence suggesting that Adams directed his campaign personnel to solicit contributions from foreign entities, misleadingly labeling these donations to qualify for a city program designed to match small contributions with significant public funding—illegal under federal law.
As Adams was set for trial in April, the repercussions of his case reverberated throughout his administration, leading to multiple resignations, including that of the police commissioner and schools chancellor, amid an ongoing investigation into high-ranking officials connected to him.
It remains uncertain what the implications of the Justice Department’s directive will be for ongoing inquiries, as well as the status of those already implicated, including recent developments where a liaison from City Hall pled guilty to collecting illegal campaign contributions for the Adams campaign. Defense lawyers for those involved have not yet responded to requests for comments.
