NEW YORK — Mayor Eric Adams of New York City is showing signs of potentially shifting political affiliations, hinting at a possible switch to the Republican Party. During two interviews on Friday, he refrained from dismissing the idea of changing party lines, a move that has raised eyebrows among his critics, especially as he has recently shown an increased openness towards President-elect Donald Trump and his tough immigration policies.
Adams, who is currently the leading Democrat in one of the most progressive cities in the nation, has faced backlash for his apparent embrace of Trump’s policies. He has a history with the Republican Party, having been a registered member in the 1990s and early 2000s before fully committing to the Democrats throughout his political career. In an interview with NY1 in the morning, when asked about the possibility of a return to the GOP, he left the door open for such a change.
“The party that matters most to me is the American party,” Adams stated. “I’m a part of the American party. I love this country. This is the home of the free, the land of the brave.” In a subsequent interview later that day on PIX11, he voiced his intention to run for reelection as a Democrat while simultaneously maintaining a degree of flexibility regarding his political future. “No matter what party I’m associated with, I will advocate for American values,” he emphasized. “And I believe America has clearly indicated that leaders should stop their bickering and focus on steering us out of the challenges we currently face.”
Adams captured the mayoral seat on a centrist platform but has frequently been at odds with the progressive elements of his party. However, following Trump’s recent electoral success, his rhetoric has noticeably shifted rightward, particularly regarding immigration. Adams has now expressed support for aspects of Trump’s administration and has shown enthusiasm for the incoming administration’s stance.
In what could be considered a reversal of his earlier position, Adams has recently voiced willingness to amend New York City’s sanctuary policies. He intends to engage with Trump’s top border official, citing concerns over the “rising illegal alien crime rate in New York City.” His remarks have drawn attention, particularly his praise for individuals in Trump’s circle, including Elon Musk, who has propagated claims linking Democrats to the unlawful importation of migrants for electoral gain.
“This is a racehorse that wanted to run its right pace and we’ve been holding back that racehorse out of fear of being canceled,” Adams remarked. “Now, you have a cohort of individuals who are no longer afraid of being canceled.” This shift in tone is notably coinciding with Adams navigating federal corruption charges while managing city affairs and preparing for a second term campaign. He has pleaded not guilty to accusations related to accepting benefits from individuals who sought to influence him, including connections to Turkey.
Critics are accusing Adams of pivoting towards Trump as a survival tactic amidst his legal struggles. “Eric Adams sounds more like he is vying for a position in right-wing media rather than campaigning for reelection in a Democratic primary,” stated state assembly member Zohran Mamdani, who is also running against him in the primary. “He was elected by Democratic voters, yet he seems willing to betray their trust for his personal interests.” Similarly, state senator Zellnor Myrie, also competing in the primary, remarked that during a time when the Republican Party appears increasingly distanced from New York values, a mayor must boldly identify as a Democrat.
“Instead of cozying up to the next president, we need a mayor who will stand firm for our city,” Myrie criticized on social media platform X. In his recent remarks, Adams did clarify his stance on the Trump administration’s proposed mass deportations, stating, “I’m not for mass deportation, but I’m not for mass saturation either.” This clarification is a significant departure from his pre-mayoral rhetoric. In June 2021, shortly before securing the Democratic primary victory, Adams addressed immigrant communities about their struggles, saying, “Too many of our neighbors live in the shadows, scarred by the abusive rhetoric and tactics of the Trump era and fearing a denial of their rights.”