New York City Mayor Eric Adams faces an indictment from the Justice Department, but under Donald Trump's administration, federal prosecutors have dropped cases related to those close to the new president. A recent New York Times report suggested prosecutors have discussed letting Adams off the hook.
Adams was indicted on five counts over whether he accepted years of luxury travel gifts in exchange for government favors. According to the indictment, Adams persuaded the New York Fire Department to ignore safety concerns and approve the opening of the new Turkish consulate in Manhattan after travel gifts.
It prompted questions about whether Adams would resign from office given the scandal, something Politico reported. And perturbed the local lawmaker.
ALSO READ: AOC slams New York's 'whole damn Republican machine' amid local scandals
“Who started the stupid rumor that I was stepping down on Friday? Are you out of your mind?” Adams asked the press, pointing to reporters during an interfaith breakfast. “How do you print a rumor that I’m resigning on Friday but don’t print the facts that we had more jobs in the city’s history on that same day?”
The interfaith event was the first time Adams has been seen in public in the past week. City Hall said Adams would be "attending to health issues." Despite that pause, however, a separate Politico piece reported that Adams hosted two labor leaders at his mansion residence.
The event was filled with Black faith leaders who had become part of Adams' political coalition. One of them tried to start a chant of "four more years."
Adams deployed many of Trump's tactics, saying that attacks on his corruption are because he's "one of you." He also attacked the media in attendance, telling a news photographer they should get another angle as a crowd was leaving his speech.
Adams claimed unfair coverage, “is why you’re seeing people that are booing, instead of wooing.”
