On September 26, 2024, federal charges were brought against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, claiming he accepted bribes and illicit campaign donations from overseas sources.
Mayor Adams “compounded his gains” from the illicit contributions, according to the indictment filed by the U.S. attorney’s office in Manhattan, by taking advantage of the city’s matching funds scheme, which offers a substantial match for modest gifts.
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The court stated that Adams is anticipated to be charged on the indictment before a federal magistrate on September 27, 2024, at noon.
Following the indictment’s release, responses from both federal and local authorities started flowing in.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul is pleading with Mayor Adams to identify an “appropriate path forward.” In a statement, Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul of New York said that she “carefully reviewed” the indictment on Thursday, calling it “an extraordinarily difficult day for New York City.” Hochul has the power to dismiss Mayor Adams from his position.
She stated, “It’s now up to Mayor Adams to show the City that he can lead,” without explicitly asking Adams to step down.
While she considers her options and responsibilities as governor, she continued, that she anticipates the mayor will use the next few days to assess the situation and “find an appropriate path forward to ensure the people of New York City are being well-served by their leaders.”
Hochul noted, “We must give New Yorkers confidence that there is steady, responsible leadership at every level of government.”
In order for him to focus on the city, Adams stated that his lawyers would handle the lawsuit. Adams declared, “My day-to-day will not change.”
If Adams resigned, the public advocate for the city, Jumaane Williams, would take over right away. The Democrat Williams would then call for a special election.
Williams just appeared on NY1’s “Inside City Hall” for the first time since the indictment.
Williams, who has experience with criminal justice reform, argues that the “presumption of innocence is really tantamount,” but he also notes that he is ready for any “eventuality.”
Williams said, “It is federal officials’ obligation to prove their case, it is the mayor’s obligation to prove to New Yorkers that there is a real plan and path to govern the city effectively and regain trust, and his time to show that plan is rapidly running out.” in a statement, though she did not specifically ask Adams to resign.
The majority leader of the Senate, Chuck Schumer, discusses Adams’ indictment. “No one is above the law, including the Mayor of New York City,” the Democratic lawmaker from New York stated in a statement. “The charges are serious, and the legal process should now play out speedily and fairly.”
“We will continue to monitor the situation,” said the Speaker of the New York City Council. Speaker of the New York City Council Adrienne Adams, a fellow Democrat and unrelated to the mayor, stated during a press conference that she hasn’t started thinking about the mayor’s possible departure from office. People who are accused of crimes, according to her, are entitled to self-defense and are assumed innocent.
In addition, she noted, “I ask the mayor to seriously and honestly consider whether full attention can be given to our deserving New Yorkers who need our government to be sound and stable.”
When inquired about ousting the mayor, Adrienne Adams said, “We are of course, like I said, very troubled by everything that’s transpired. We are not prepared today to give an answer to that question. We will continue to monitor the situation, to be in talks with our colleagues both at city and state level as we all monitor the situation and see how this further unfolds.”
Mayor Adams is urged by Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso to place “New Yorkers first”. Current Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso and Brooklyn Councilman Chi Osse are asking Mayor Adams to step down. In a message posted on social media, Reynoso asked the mayor to put “New Yorkers first.”
“Through this the mayor will see his inability to be able to lead,” Reynoso stated.
As president of Brooklyn Borough and a state senator representing Brooklyn, Eric Adams held two positions before he was elected mayor.
About Adams’ indictment, Robert Holden, NYC Council District 30, “I don’t know how you defend this. I’m for good government. I’m for leadership. I’m for honesty. This is anything but.”
The White House answers Adams’s allegations regarding his indictment. The mayor of New York City made accusations that he was singled out for criticism of the administration’s attempts to curb immigration and border crossings, but the White House refuted these charges, asserting that the Justice Department’s activities were impartial.
Press secretary for the White House Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters at the most recent briefing, “The president was clear, even when he was running in 2020, that he was going to make sure that DOJ is independent and the DOJ is handling this case independently.”
Adams and President Joe Biden disagreed over financing and a plan to manage the flood of newcomers, which has caused the government to become mired in attempts to accommodate tens of thousands of foreign migrants who overflowed the city’s shelters.
Adams’ indictment is described as “a serious and sober moment for New York City” by Democratic leader Representative Hakeem Jeffries. New Yorker Jeffries is the Democratic leader of the US House.
Jeffries noted, “Like every other New Yorker and American, Eric Adams is entitled to the presumption of innocence. That principle is central to the administration of justice in the United States of America.” He added, “A jury of the Mayor’s peers will now evaluate the charges in the indictment and ultimately render a determination. In the meantime, I pray for the well-being of our great City.”
According to a former professor of political science, the Adams indictment will result in a leadership void. As Adams attempted to fight the accusations, Douglas Muzzio, a retired political science professor from Baruch College with in-depth knowledge of New York politics, predicted that the indictment would result in a leadership void at the top of the city administration.
Muzzio stated, “Pretty soon entire departments are going to have gridlock, and as people are worried about their jobs, their future, the momentum of the city is going to slow considerably.”
Muzzio highlighted the forthcoming results of the mayor’s indictment, “The impact is going to be real and substantial, particularly with the mayor out of the picture and many of his commissioners have resigned, will resign or are under a cloud.”
