AOC Urges Eric Adams to Step Down
The prominent Democrat has made history as the first member of Congress to urge New York's mayor to resign while investigations are ongoing.
TroibNews 
**NEW YORK — Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has publicly called for Mayor Eric Adams to resign amidst a wave of federal investigations and resignations that have shaken New York City Hall.**
With this announcement, Ocasio-Cortez becomes the first congressional member to demand the mayor’s resignation. She joins the ranks of seven other city and state lawmakers from New York who have also called for Adams to step down.
“The flood of resignations and vacancies are threatening government function,” Ocasio-Cortez said in a statement on X. “Nonstop investigations will make it impossible to recruit and retain a qualified administration.”
While both Democrats, Ocasio-Cortez and Adams represent differing factions within the party and have had a contentious relationship during their overlapping tenures. Ocasio-Cortez is a prominent progressive, while Adams tends to align more comfortably with New York Republicans than with the left wing of his party.
Most of the elected officials who have requested Adams’ resignation, including Ocasio-Cortez, have the backing of the Democratic Socialists of America. Adams has frequently used socialists as a political counterpoint to emphasize his political stance.
“For anyone who self-righteously claims people charged with serious crimes should not be in jail to now say that the second Black mayor of New York should resign because of rumors and innuendo — without even a single charge being filed — is the height of hypocrisy,” Adams remarked in a statement, referencing Ocasio-Cortez’s backing of controversial bail reform in the state. “I am leading this city to protect it from exactly that kind of phony politics. The people of this city elected me to fight for them, and I will stay and fight no matter what.”
Ocasio-Cortez’s call for resignation may encourage others to join in similar demands against the mayor.
Despite Ocasio-Cortez’s insistence on Adams’ departure, he still has strong support from prominent politicians in New York.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, representing Brooklyn, has openly voiced confidence in Adams’ leadership.
“As far as I can tell, Mayor Adams is trying to do the best that he can in one of the toughest jobs in the world,” he told reporters Wednesday.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul, who leads the state party and maintains a cordial relationship with Adams, has refrained from criticizing him.
“I'm elected Governor of the state of New York, which includes representing 8.3 million New York City residents; Mayor Eric Adams was elected to represent the same 8.3 million New Yorkers,” Hochul stated. “We have to work together. People need us to pull together at this time and show that government is functioning.”
Federal investigators recently seized phones and raided the homes of five senior City Hall aides, probing potential illegal contributions to Adams’ 2021 campaign from individuals associated with the Turkish government.
Reports also indicate that federal investigators are scrutinizing Adams’ connections to five other countries.
Ocasio-Cortez’s statement follows the announcement that David Banks, the chancellor of the nation's largest school system and a key member of Adams’ admin, will leave by year’s end.
Democratic Rep. Ritchie Torres, also from the Bronx, expressed support for the mayor amid the ongoing scandals.
"Look, there is no indictment, no conviction, no official finding of wrongdoing,” he remarked. “Without an official finding, it strikes me as premature to call for the mayor's resignation. The cornerstone of our legal process is due process. Every American is entitled to it. The mayor is no exception.”
In recent weeks, the mayor’s chief counsel, health commissioner, and NYPD commissioner have all resigned. Additionally, the city’s emergency management commissioner has indicated he is contemplating his departure.
Adams maintains his innocence, consistently reminding his team to adhere to the law. He has reiterated his commitment to his mantra: “Stay focused, no distractions and grind,” a phrase he reiterated while addressing reporters recently.
Banks’ resignation follows a search of his personal devices and home by federal agents three weeks ago. The deputy mayor, Sheena Wright, who is engaged to Banks, had her personal devices seized as well.
Federal authorities also took possession of the home and devices belonging to Banks’ brother, Phil Banks, as well as those of the city’s police commissioner, a senior advisor to the mayor, and several police chiefs.
The investigation reportedly includes whether Terry Banks, the third Banks brother, unlawfully lobbied the school chancellor for technology contracts with New York City schools.
Furthermore, a city investigation is currently underway regarding the former police commissioner and his twin brother, who allegedly extorted nightclub owners for cash in exchange for lax enforcement by the NYPD. The former police commissioner resigned two weeks ago, while the city’s director of Asian affairs had her residences raided in February.
Nicholas Wu and Jeff Coltin contributed to this report.
Olivia Brown contributed to this report for TROIB News
With this announcement, Ocasio-Cortez becomes the first congressional member to demand the mayor’s resignation. She joins the ranks of seven other city and state lawmakers from New York who have also called for Adams to step down.
“The flood of resignations and vacancies are threatening government function,” Ocasio-Cortez said in a statement on X. “Nonstop investigations will make it impossible to recruit and retain a qualified administration.”
While both Democrats, Ocasio-Cortez and Adams represent differing factions within the party and have had a contentious relationship during their overlapping tenures. Ocasio-Cortez is a prominent progressive, while Adams tends to align more comfortably with New York Republicans than with the left wing of his party.
Most of the elected officials who have requested Adams’ resignation, including Ocasio-Cortez, have the backing of the Democratic Socialists of America. Adams has frequently used socialists as a political counterpoint to emphasize his political stance.
“For anyone who self-righteously claims people charged with serious crimes should not be in jail to now say that the second Black mayor of New York should resign because of rumors and innuendo — without even a single charge being filed — is the height of hypocrisy,” Adams remarked in a statement, referencing Ocasio-Cortez’s backing of controversial bail reform in the state. “I am leading this city to protect it from exactly that kind of phony politics. The people of this city elected me to fight for them, and I will stay and fight no matter what.”
Ocasio-Cortez’s call for resignation may encourage others to join in similar demands against the mayor.
Despite Ocasio-Cortez’s insistence on Adams’ departure, he still has strong support from prominent politicians in New York.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, representing Brooklyn, has openly voiced confidence in Adams’ leadership.
“As far as I can tell, Mayor Adams is trying to do the best that he can in one of the toughest jobs in the world,” he told reporters Wednesday.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul, who leads the state party and maintains a cordial relationship with Adams, has refrained from criticizing him.
“I'm elected Governor of the state of New York, which includes representing 8.3 million New York City residents; Mayor Eric Adams was elected to represent the same 8.3 million New Yorkers,” Hochul stated. “We have to work together. People need us to pull together at this time and show that government is functioning.”
Federal investigators recently seized phones and raided the homes of five senior City Hall aides, probing potential illegal contributions to Adams’ 2021 campaign from individuals associated with the Turkish government.
Reports also indicate that federal investigators are scrutinizing Adams’ connections to five other countries.
Ocasio-Cortez’s statement follows the announcement that David Banks, the chancellor of the nation's largest school system and a key member of Adams’ admin, will leave by year’s end.
Democratic Rep. Ritchie Torres, also from the Bronx, expressed support for the mayor amid the ongoing scandals.
"Look, there is no indictment, no conviction, no official finding of wrongdoing,” he remarked. “Without an official finding, it strikes me as premature to call for the mayor's resignation. The cornerstone of our legal process is due process. Every American is entitled to it. The mayor is no exception.”
In recent weeks, the mayor’s chief counsel, health commissioner, and NYPD commissioner have all resigned. Additionally, the city’s emergency management commissioner has indicated he is contemplating his departure.
Adams maintains his innocence, consistently reminding his team to adhere to the law. He has reiterated his commitment to his mantra: “Stay focused, no distractions and grind,” a phrase he reiterated while addressing reporters recently.
Banks’ resignation follows a search of his personal devices and home by federal agents three weeks ago. The deputy mayor, Sheena Wright, who is engaged to Banks, had her personal devices seized as well.
Federal authorities also took possession of the home and devices belonging to Banks’ brother, Phil Banks, as well as those of the city’s police commissioner, a senior advisor to the mayor, and several police chiefs.
The investigation reportedly includes whether Terry Banks, the third Banks brother, unlawfully lobbied the school chancellor for technology contracts with New York City schools.
Furthermore, a city investigation is currently underway regarding the former police commissioner and his twin brother, who allegedly extorted nightclub owners for cash in exchange for lax enforcement by the NYPD. The former police commissioner resigned two weeks ago, while the city’s director of Asian affairs had her residences raided in February.
Nicholas Wu and Jeff Coltin contributed to this report.
Olivia Brown contributed to this report for TROIB News
