'Something's up' as DOJ mulls dropping charges against Eric Adams: ex-White House lawyer

A former White House lawyer for Donald Trump told CNN on Wednesday night that it's likely "something's up" amid reports that the Justice Department is weighing dropping charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who has noticeably cozied up to President Donald Trump in recent months.

Earlier this month, the embattled mayor — who was indicted on federal corruption charges — took a page out of the tech billionaires' playbook and headed to Mar-a-Lago to meet with Trump. At the time, Fabien Levy, spokesman for Adams, said, "Mayor Adams has made quite clear his willingness to work with President-elect Trump and his incoming administration on behalf of New Yorkers — and that partnership with the federal government is critical to New York City’s success."

“To be clear, we did not discuss my legal case,” Adams clapped back at critics in a statement after the meeting. “And those who suggest the mayor of the largest city in the nation shouldn’t meet with the incoming president to discuss our city’s priorities because of inaccurate speculation or because we’re from different parties clearly care more about politics than people.”

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Adams has been charged as part of a federal investigation into bribery, wire fraud, and receiving illegal campaign contributions from foreign nationals. Authorities said he accepted over $100,000 in luxury travel perks, such as opulent hotel stays and flight upgrades, from Turkish nationals and a government representative. He's also accused of pressuring the New York City Fire Department to approve a new high-rise for the Turkish Consulate General despite safety concerns.

But on Wednesday, The New York Times reported that senior Justice Department officials have discussed with federal prosecutors in Manhattan about possibly dropping the corruption case.

Ty Cobb joined CNN's "OutFront" with anchor Erin Burnett on Wednesday evening to discuss the case — and said the timing smells fishy.

"I think it's really hard to ignore the likelihood that that plays into it," said Cobb, referring to the meeting between the two men. "Trump announced over a month ago he was considering a pardon for Adams or he might pardon Adams based on Adams' attempt to pretend that he was somehow singled out for political reasons."

Cobb called the assertion out, however, noting former Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) was sentenced to 11 years in prison Wednesday for the same type of offenses.

"Bob Menendez just went to jail for specifically what Adams is charged with — taking bribes from a foreign country," he said. "Menedez from Egypt and Adams from Turkey."

Cobb continued, "The combination of Adams' recent signs of featly to Trump, the frequent conversations they've had, the fact that the Justice Department conversations that were reported today apparently went through Emil Bove's office — Emil Bove who, until a week ago was Trump's personal lawyer is now the acting deputy attorney general — I think it's very hard to ignore the likelihood that something's up."

Cobb said the threat of a pardon will bring prosecutors to the table.

"Typically they would be independent and be dragged kicking and screaming to the table on something like this, but we'll have to see," he concluded.

Watch the clip below or at this link.