On Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez made headlines by calling for the resignation of New York City Mayor Eric Adams amidst ongoing federal criminal investigations and a series of unexpected departures of key city officials. Ocasio-Cortez expressed her concerns about the floods of resignations and vacancies that are threatening the government’s functionality, stating that continuous investigations will hinder the recruitment and retention of a capable administration. She urged Adams to step down for the sake of the city.

In response to Ocasio-Cortez’s statement, Mayor Adams displayed defiance, criticizing the accusations against him as mere rumors and innuendo without any formal charges being filed. He emphasized his commitment to leading the city and fighting against what he referred to as “phony politics.” Adams stressed that he was elected to serve the people of New York City, and he intends to fulfill that duty despite the mounting pressure to resign.

While Adams has not been implicated in any wrongdoing, a few longstanding political adversaries have joined Ocasio-Cortez in calling for his resignation. Despite this, many top Democrats in the state have refrained from commenting on the investigations, with some even voicing support for the mayor. U.S. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York praised Adams for his efforts as mayor and highlighted the importance of his success in the current role.

Recent events have put Mayor Adams in a vulnerable position, including the seizure of electronic devices from several high-ranking members of his administration. The investigations have caused significant upheaval, with key officials such as former police commissioner Edward Caban and the head of the city’s public schools system, David Banks, resigning after their devices were confiscated. Additionally, the city’s health commissioner, Dr. Ashwin Vasan, announced his plans to step down early next year, citing reasons unrelated to the investigations.

The departure of key officials and Ocasio-Cortez’s call for Mayor Adams to resign have intensified the scrutiny surrounding his administration. As the investigations unfold and political pressure mounts, the future of Mayor Adams’ tenure remains uncertain.