Adams, facing federal charges, refrains from criticizing Trump following chaotic rally
One week ahead of Election Day, the Democratic NYC mayor once more encouraged individuals to ‘turn down the rhetoric.’
TroibNews 
NEW YORK — Mayor Eric Adams, a registered Democrat, maintained a diplomatic stance toward former President Donald Trump during a press conference on Tuesday, noticeably sidestepping inquiries about the Republican frontrunner and his policies.
“I speak to my mayors across the country, and they talk about these real problems we're having. And with all that's going on to every day New Yorkers, we're asking questions that, ‘Is someone a fascist?’ or ‘Is someone a Hitler?’ That's insulting to me. That is insulting,” Adams stated when pressed regarding calls from some Democrats for him to reject Trump’s support.
“I'm not going to engage in that. Everyone needs to turn down the rhetoric. Because after Election Day, we still have to be the United States, and not the divided states,” he remarked, while deflecting more than a dozen questions related to Trump, following incendiary remarks made by speakers at Trump's rally on Sunday at Madison Square Garden.
Adams' comments came after he diverged from Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris and several of Trump’s former high-ranking officials by asserting that Trump should not be labeled a fascist. Trump acknowledged Adams by name for his defense.
When asked about his last communication with Trump or his team, Adams opted not to respond directly. “Give me another question, please?” he requested, moving on to another journalist while indicating that the first reporter “lost your opportunity” for an answer.
While the mayor has endorsed Harris, he notably refrained from mentioning her when queried about his voting intentions.
“I made it clear on who I endorsed for president, and I’m not going to do an annual endorsement refresher,” he asserted. “I’ve made it clear. And if anything changes, I will tell you. Nothing has changed for that.”
Adams' continuous avoidance of criticizing Trump distinguishes him from other Democrats, particularly those representing a strongly anti-Trump electorate. New York City had a significant majority, voting 76-23 in favor of Joe Biden in 2020. Additionally, Adams has criticized Biden regarding the southern border crisis during the president's reelection campaign, stating that the policy created an unfunded mandate for New York City.
As the election approaches, scrutiny has increased on the mayor's stance. He was also questioned about a New York Post report suggesting that his allies believe a Trump presidency could lead to the dismissal of the federal bribery case against him.
“That is not our position. We think the facts are going to speak for themselves,” Adams responded. When asked again whether he believed a Trump presidency would be personally beneficial for him, the mayor redirected such inquiries to his defense attorney.
Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, a progressive citywide official who has been critical of Adams, labeled the mayor’s remarks on Trump as “disgraceful.”
“You can't find one thing to separate yourself from Donald Trump?” he said Tuesday. “Makes no sense from a so-called Democratic mayor who called himself the Biden of Brooklyn.”
Aarav Patel contributed to this report for TROIB News
“I speak to my mayors across the country, and they talk about these real problems we're having. And with all that's going on to every day New Yorkers, we're asking questions that, ‘Is someone a fascist?’ or ‘Is someone a Hitler?’ That's insulting to me. That is insulting,” Adams stated when pressed regarding calls from some Democrats for him to reject Trump’s support.
“I'm not going to engage in that. Everyone needs to turn down the rhetoric. Because after Election Day, we still have to be the United States, and not the divided states,” he remarked, while deflecting more than a dozen questions related to Trump, following incendiary remarks made by speakers at Trump's rally on Sunday at Madison Square Garden.
Adams' comments came after he diverged from Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris and several of Trump’s former high-ranking officials by asserting that Trump should not be labeled a fascist. Trump acknowledged Adams by name for his defense.
When asked about his last communication with Trump or his team, Adams opted not to respond directly. “Give me another question, please?” he requested, moving on to another journalist while indicating that the first reporter “lost your opportunity” for an answer.
While the mayor has endorsed Harris, he notably refrained from mentioning her when queried about his voting intentions.
“I made it clear on who I endorsed for president, and I’m not going to do an annual endorsement refresher,” he asserted. “I’ve made it clear. And if anything changes, I will tell you. Nothing has changed for that.”
Adams' continuous avoidance of criticizing Trump distinguishes him from other Democrats, particularly those representing a strongly anti-Trump electorate. New York City had a significant majority, voting 76-23 in favor of Joe Biden in 2020. Additionally, Adams has criticized Biden regarding the southern border crisis during the president's reelection campaign, stating that the policy created an unfunded mandate for New York City.
As the election approaches, scrutiny has increased on the mayor's stance. He was also questioned about a New York Post report suggesting that his allies believe a Trump presidency could lead to the dismissal of the federal bribery case against him.
“That is not our position. We think the facts are going to speak for themselves,” Adams responded. When asked again whether he believed a Trump presidency would be personally beneficial for him, the mayor redirected such inquiries to his defense attorney.
Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, a progressive citywide official who has been critical of Adams, labeled the mayor’s remarks on Trump as “disgraceful.”
“You can't find one thing to separate yourself from Donald Trump?” he said Tuesday. “Makes no sense from a so-called Democratic mayor who called himself the Biden of Brooklyn.”
Aarav Patel contributed to this report for TROIB News
