FBI agents conducted a search at the residence of New York City Mayor Eric Adams and confiscated his phone in the early hours of Thursday morning, just before an anticipated unsealing of an indictment outlining criminal charges against the mayor, who is a member of the Democratic Party.
The exact nature of the federal criminal charges against Adams has not yet been revealed, as the indictment remains sealed. This information was disclosed by two individuals familiar with the situation who chose to remain anonymous when speaking to sources like The Associated Press, as they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.
Eric Adams’ attorney, Alex Spiro, has criticized the extensive FBI presence at the mayor’s official residence, describing it as an unnecessary display of force. Spiro remarked that a team of twelve agents arrived to collect Adams’ phone, a task that could have been completed cooperatively without such a massive show of law enforcement presence.
Speaking about the situation, Spiro accused the federal agents of coming to Gracie Mansion in an attempt to create a spectacle, commenting on their actions as unnecessary and for show.
During the FBI’s visit, the mayor’s residence was observed to be bustling with activity. Uniformed police officers and plainclothes law enforcement officers were present around the security gate. Black SUVs with tinted windows were seen entering and exiting the premises, while officers were noted to be bringing coffee and doughnuts into the building.