Abdelrahman
As the legal challenges faced by Mayor Eric Adams appear to waver, his chances for re-election this year may experience a slight increase. However, whether this boost will be sufficient to counterbalance his declining poll numbers — with recent surveys indicating that only about 10 percent of participants favored him — remains uncertain.
The potential dismissal of the case might be influenced by President Trump, whose unpopularity among New York City Democrats could undermine any advantages for the mayor stemming from the removal of a five-count federal indictment.
Mayor Adams’s efforts to align himself with Trump, both prior to and following Trump’s re-election campaign, have already given his opponents ample ammunition. Critics argue that Adams has prioritized his personal interests over the needs of the city.
Furthermore, Adams’s outreach to Trump has alienated a segment of his Black voter base, a vital demographic he must support while running for re-election as the city’s second Black mayor.
The Rev. Al Sharpton, a close associate of Adams, pointed out that the mayor may face a “challenging” task in justifying the charges’ dismissal to his core supporters. “I’m not against Adams, but I oppose Trump, and many in the Black community share that sentiment,” Sharpton noted.
Damian Williams, the former federal prosecutor responsible for the mayor’s charges and the first Black U.S. attorney for Manhattan, is also viewed with respect in the city, Sharpton added. “We may hold the mayor in high regard, but we also respect Damian Williams, who is not believed to act out of political retribution,” he stated.
It remains unclear whether the Justice Department’s request to dismiss Adams’s case could influence former Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s potential entry into the mayoral race. Cuomo often tops mayoral polls, despite not having officially declared his candidacy, and has traditionally attracted strong support from Black voters, positioning him directly against Adams.
In a memo to Manhattan prosecutors, Emil Bove, the Justice Department’s acting deputy, referenced Trump’s immigration enforcement policies as a factor for dropping the charges against the mayor. Bove claimed that the indictment had hindered Adams’s ability to reduce violent crime in New York and support Trump officials in enforcing immigration laws.
During conversations with federal representatives, Adams’s attorney, Alex Spiro, reportedly indicated that the mayor would not cooperate with the immigration initiatives if he remained under indictment, a claim Spiro later labeled as “a complete lie.”
Bove’s statements contradict Adams’s assertions that the legal proceedings had not distracted him from his responsibilities. The mayor frequently points to decreasing crime rates and a reduced number of migrants in city shelters as evidence of his effectiveness. “I can manage my duties. My legal team will address the case,” Adams stated on Bloomberg TV’s “The Close” last December. “People suggested it would be a disruption; I’m proceeding and will continue serving New Yorkers.”
With the Justice Department directing federal attorneys to dismiss the charges, just weeks after they suggested they had uncovered “additional criminal conduct” by Adams, the mayor is likely to evade a high-profile trial set for April, only two months prior to the primary elections.
Several candidates have already declared their intentions to run, including city comptroller Brad Lander, State Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, State Senators Zellnor Myrie and Jessica Ramos, as well as Scott Stringer, the former city comptroller — all of whom are considered more left-leaning than Adams.
Additionally, two moderate contenders, Jim Walden, a lawyer seeking to run on the Independence Party ballot, and Whitney Tilson, a former hedge fund executive, are also in the race.
Many of Adams’s rivals promptly issued statements denouncing the request to dismiss the charges, labeling the action a miscarriage of justice that exemplifies the mayor prioritizing personal interests over public wellbeing. “The only person celebrating tonight is Eric Adams,” Stringer remarked.
Mamdani stated, “Adams has focused city governance on a singular goal: avoiding prison.” He called for an investigation into whether Adams struck a deal with the Trump administration involving breaches of city law.
Myrie condemned the letter, asserting that it highlighted the demise of justice in America. “The decision to dismiss charges against Eric Adams by Trump’s Justice Department should outrage every New Yorker,” he asserted.
Earlier, Myrie announced an endorsement from Representative Dan Goldman, a former prosecutor for the Southern District of New York, expressing concerns over the implications of the charges being dropped and asserting that the prosecutors were known for their independence. “If this case is dismissed for political motives, it would be a miscarriage of justice,” Goldman said. “This undermines our legal system.”
Hours before news of the dismissal emerged, Adams convened with senior officials from his administration and advised them against criticizing Trump or his policies to prevent potential loss of federal funding.
Adams’s agency heads have expressed worries regarding Trump’s mass deportation strategies and have sought guidance on how to handle situations involving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials at public facilities.
City public advocate Jumaane Williams penned an “open letter” to city employees post-meeting, criticizing Adams for failing to protect immigrants facing fear due to Trump’s deportation threats. “Each day, Mayor Adams illustrates that he prioritizes personal ambition over the welfare of New Yorkers,” he stated.
On Monday night, Lander remarked, “Now we understand why the mayor discouraged criticism of Trump.” He added, “Instead of advocating for New Yorkers, Mayor Adams is only advocating for himself. New Yorkers deserve better.”
