New York City Mayor Eric Adams is becoming the city’s first mayor to be indicted while in office, following unprecedented federal criminal charges, multiple sources reported. The indictment remains sealed, but reports claim it will be unsealed Thursday when the 64-year-old Adams is expected to make an initial court appearance.
Almost three years ago,
Adams was elected on a promise to take control of the city’s crime rate, and now he finds himself at the center of a widening federal corruption investigation. The inquiry has ensnared several of his closest associates, including top officials in his administration. Although it’s too soon to tell the scope of the indictment, some earlier reports already associate the probe to the 2021 mayoral campaign of Adams, via alleged illegal donations that supposedly trace back to foreign governments, such as Turkey. Apart from Turkey, some other countries of interest in the probe are Israel, China, Qatar, South Korea, and Uzbekistan.
In a video statement released late yesterday,
Adams categorically denied anything wrong done and vowed to fight the charges against him, pointing out that he is innocent. “I will fight these injustices with every ounce of my strength and my spirit,” Adams said, also asking for the New Yorkers’ patience while promising transparency. “I am innocent,” he exclaimed, raising an intent to seek an immediate trial in order to let the real truth surface.
This has sparked a series of calls for Adams to resign, and US Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is only one prominent voice saying that the mayor can no longer lead New York City under such circumstances. “For the good of the city, he should resign,” she posted on X, formerly Twitter, as concerns grow over a spate of resignations within the Adams administration that have raised question marks over the city’s ability to function.
It gained momentum in the last few weeks with raids on several houses of close associates to the mayor. These close associates include his brother, Deputy Mayor Phil Banks, his fiancée, Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright, and the city’s schools chancellor, David Banks, who has now said he will resign, effective by the end of the year.
Ongoing probe has also implicated other city officials and Adams’ inner circle in the growing scandal. With his re-election campaign looming in 2025, Adams is also under the pressure of Democratic challengers, while speculation mounts about his future in politics. If Adams’ tenure were to end prematurely, New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams is next in line to assume the mayoralty.
The indictment and ongoing federal probes cast a great shadow over the political landscape of New York City, but Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul, a powerful ally, has yet to make any public comments about the charges. And in fact, Hochul carries the power to potentially remove Adams if she so desired, an action that can potentially fundamentally reorient the course of the city’s governance.
The case is still ongoing, and one can expect more updates after the indictment is unsealed, which will probably clarify all charges filed against Mayor Adams and his administration as well.