New York City Mayor Eric Adams is confronting a significant legal battle following federal criminal charges that have led several members of Congress to call for his resignation, arguing that these charges hinder his ability to lead the nation’s largest city.
The 57-page indictment accuses Adams of “seeking and accepting improper benefits, including luxurious international travel, from foreign moguls and at least one Turkish government official attempting to lobby him.”
While the leadership of New York’s Democratic Party recognizes the gravity of the accusations, they are advocating for the principle of presumption of innocence and resisting calls for Adams to step down.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer emphasized in a statement, “No one is above the law, not even the Mayor of New York City. These allegations are serious, and the legal process must be executed swiftly and fairly.”
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries described the indictment as “a serious and sobering moment for New York City,” noting that a jury made up of the mayor’s peers will evaluate the charges and ultimately decide his fate.
Despite this, many lawmakers and elected officials are pressing Adams to resign. Progressive Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez expressed her concerns on X (formerly Twitter) on the 25th, stating, “I’m not sure how Adams can continue to govern New York City. He must step down.”
New York State Assemblymember Nydia M. Velázquez shared her thoughts with Spectrum News NY1, saying, “If I were in his position, I would resign today. He knows he can no longer manage the affairs of the people of New York.”
Governor Kathy Hochul, who has the power to remove Adams from office, mentioned on the 26th in Syracuse that she is currently reviewing the allegations against him.
According to The Washington Post, if Adams were to resign, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams would be the next in line to assume his role. While Williams did not explicitly call for Adams’ resignation in his statement about the indictment, he remarked that “these allegations are more extensive and serious than imagined.”
