New York City’s top four deputies The US Justice Department’s efforts to close a corruption investigation against Mayor Eric Adams and secure his assistance in President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown have resulted in Adams’ resignation.
The mayor’s political independence and capacity to govern the city have come under scrutiny because of this deal.
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According to a statement from Major Adams, first deputy mayor Maria Torres-Springer, deputy mayor for operations Meera Joshi, deputy mayor for health and human services Anne Williams-Isom, and deputy mayor for public safety Chauncey Parker all resigned.
Adams, who has several rivals in the Democratic primary in June, stated, “I am disappointed to see them go, but given the current challenges, I understand their decision and wish them nothing but success in the future.” He added, “But let me be crystal clear: New York City will keep moving forward, just as it does every day.”
The most recent Democrat to urge the mayor to step down was City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, who stated that, in light of the deputy mayor’s resignations, he “has now lost the confidence and trust of his own staff, his colleagues in government, and New Yorkers.”
In a message addressing agency heads and employees, Torres-Springer, Joshi, and Williams-Isom explained that they were leaving due to “the extraordinary events of the last few weeks.”
Adams stated that they and Parker would stay “for the time being to ensure a seamless transition,” but they did not provide a departure date.
Following the Justice Department’s second-in-command’s recent directive to dismiss the mayor’s corruption investigation, Adams has come under growing criticism. According to a letter from Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove, the lawsuit has “unduly restricted Mayor Adams’ ability to devote full attention and resources to the illegal immigration and violent crime.”
Seven federal prosecutors, including the acting US attorney for Manhattan, resigned in protest after receiving that command, sparking a firestorm in the Justice Department and New York political circles. Other Democrats also called for Adams to step down.
Following one week of accusations and resignations, Bove and two Washington-based Justice Department officials intervened and submitted documents requesting Manhattan federal Judge Dale E. Ho to dismiss the case. Ho has not yet responded to the request.
Adams, a former police captain, entered a not guilty plea in September to allegations that, while serving as Brooklyn borough president and running for mayor, he collected over $100,000 in illicit campaign donations and extravagant travel benefits from foreigners hoping to purchase his influence.
Critics saw this as an inducement to guarantee Adams’ compliance with the Republican president’s goals. The Justice Department recently filed a brief stating that it was seeking to dismiss Adams’ charges with the possibility to refile them later. Bove claimed the incoming permanent US attorney will examine the issue following the November election in his memo asking prosecutors to drop the prosecution.
Adams ally Reverend Al Sharpton stated, “It sounds like President Trump is holding the mayor hostage.” He continued, “I have supported the mayor, but he has been put in an unfair position — even for him — of essentially political blackmail.”
Adams has been urged to resign by political figures, including Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado and Democratic Representatives Alexandria Ocasio Cortez and Nydia Velázquez. However, Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul has stated that she is adopting a more thoughtful strategy.
Hochul told reporters, “The allegations are extremely concerning and serious, but I cannot as the governor of this state have a knee-jerk, politically motivated reaction like a lot of other people are saying right now.” She added, “I’ve got to do it smart, what’s right and I’m consulting with other leaders in government right now.”
When the mayor met with Trump’s border czar in New York, the drama surrounding Adams’ case unfolded. The mayor pledged expanded collaboration on the Trump administration’s attempts to deport immigrants, including the reopening of an office for immigration officials at the city’s infamous Rikers Island jail.
Torres-Springer, Joshi, and Williams-Isom sent the following in a note to employees announcing their departures, “Due to the extraordinary events of the last few weeks and to stay faithful to the oaths we swore to New Yorkers and our families, we have come to the difficult decision to step down from our roles.”
