New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced Thursday she will not remove Mayor Eric Adams from office despite ongoing federal scrutiny, opting instead for stricter oversight measures requiring legislative approval. This decision follows the Department of Justice’s abrupt dismissal of criminal charges against Adams on February 10, a move prosecutors claim prioritizes national security over legal accountability.
The five-count indictment accused Adams of accepting luxury travel gifts in exchange for pushing through safety approvals for Manhattan’s Turkish consulate. Acting U.S. Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove defended the DOJ’s reversal, stating,
'This prosecution interferes with federal immigration enforcement. Mayor Adams cannot collaborate with authorities like the U.S. Attorney’s office under these conditions.'
Key departures followed the DOJ’s decision:
- U.S. Attorney Danielle Sassoon and six federal prosecutors resigned
- Four deputy mayors exited Adams’ administration
Hochul acknowledged 'serious concerns' about stability, pledging meetings with state leaders to address governance gaps. 'If officials cannot serve now, it raises questions about this administration’s future,' she warned.
Adams’ ties to former President Donald Trump further complicate the scandal. The pair met in Florida shortly before charges were dropped, with Trump publicly praising Adams as 'unfairly targeted' and hinting at a potential presidential pardon.
As the first NYC mayor ever indicted while in office, Adams maintains his 2021 electoral mandate despite mounting pressure. Hochul insists her ‘guardrails’ strategy balances voter will with accountability, but critics argue the crisis exposes systemic flaws in federal-local governance.