Eric Adams Faces Political Backlash at Home for Attending Trump’s Inauguration While Pardon Discussions Occur
The newly elected president stated that the New York City mayor faced unjust targeting by Biden’s justice system.
TroibNews 
NEW YORK — Black political and religious leaders have expressed their criticism of Mayor Eric Adams for opting to attend Donald Trump’s presidential inauguration on Monday instead of participating in local Martin Luther King Jr. Day events.
“Some that should be here celebrating Dr. King with us in this room have chosen to go to Washington to celebrate felon 47,” said City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, one of New York City’s highest-ranking Black politicians who shares the mayor’s political base, prompting cheers from the audience during an MLK event.
Initially scheduled to attend an event in Brooklyn, the mayor left for Washington around 3 a.m. after receiving a last-minute invitation from Steve Witkoff, a New York real estate developer and Trump’s Middle East envoy, according to his staff.
While his fellow Democrats and reelection rivals honored King in New York City, Adams was in D.C. taking photos with cryptocurrency billionaire Brock Pierce, who previously hosted a campaign fundraiser for him in Puerto Rico and flew him there on his private jet in 2021. The mayor was also seen with influencer brothers Logan and Jake Paul before watching Trump take the oath of office in a Capitol overflow room.
This decision has drawn fire from critics. “He made it very clear that Eric Adams cares more about a pardon than the people,” stated Michael Blake, a former state lawmaker and one of two Black men challenging Adams in the upcoming primary. “It’s absolutely unacceptable that he is celebrating the legacy of Trump, as opposed to the legacy of King.”
Political risks are high for the mayor, as Black voters played a crucial role in his 2021 election victory. He won all major Black neighborhoods in the city and is working to maintain that connection amid challenges during his first term. These voters have consistently opposed Trump, contributing to a significant defeat for him in New York City last year, and former Governor Andrew Cuomo is reportedly considering a challenge to Adams.
Even some prominent Black Democrats, previously sympathetic to the mayor's legal troubles, are growing wary of his interactions with Trump. “To say you’re not going to raise your eyebrows would be being dishonest,” Al Sharpton remarked on MSNBC after learning of the mayor’s trip. “I think that this will cause a lot of us to say: What is this all about?”
Adams had company from within his administration. Chief of Department John Chell and Deputy Commissioner for Operations Kaz Daughtry, close allies of the mayor, were also seen in Washington. Chell had previously attended Trump’s rally in New York City, where he gave an interview to the conservative network Newsmax while in uniform.
The department clarified that their presence was due to a request from D.C. law enforcement for NYPD assistance during the inauguration. However, Chell was also observed mingling with GOP officials.
In defense of his choice, Adams referenced King, referring to Inauguration Day as “a sacred American tradition” in a post on X. “On MLK Day, like Reverend Dr. King said, we must put partisan politics aside to do what’s best for our country. I believe there’s much we can achieve working alongside the federal government as we support our city’s values and fight for New Yorkers.”
Assemblymember Al Taylor, a Black pastor from Harlem, supported the mayor’s decision, expressing hope for beneficial outcomes from the visit. “I’d like to think that he’s going to have some takeaways that are beneficial to the city,” he noted. “I believe he’s going to bring home the bacon. That’s what New York needs, as much as we can.”
Both the mayor and Taylor did not address Adams' upcoming five-count federal bribery case set for trial in April. Trump has signaled openness to granting a pardon to Adams, and both have portrayed their legal challenges as politically motivated actions by the Department of Justice.
“There is a blurred line between what is beneficial for him and what is beneficial for New York City and voters,” commented Basil Smikle Jr., former head of the New York Democratic Party under Cuomo. “Everybody to [Adams’] left will split a lot of votes,” he added, suggesting that Cuomo could emerge as a serious challenger.
Adams had shown interest in attending the inauguration but had been discreet about his plans. At 12:07 Monday morning, his press office released a schedule that included MLK events and a CBS News interview about the inauguration. Hours later, the schedule was amended to reflect his attendance at Trump's inauguration.
His deputy mayor for communications, Fabien Levy, stated the invitation was received from Witkoff after midnight.
The scene in Washington juxtaposed sharply with that in Harlem, where hundreds gathered at Convent Avenue Baptist Church for MLK celebrations. The absence of Adams was noted from the altar. “My staff has been telling me, ‘don’t say anything, Dr. Kilgore,’” remarked Reverend James Kilgore. “We have a few very important elected officials who are not present. So I don’t have to say any more.”
The commemoration, a significant event for Black political power in New York City, featured appearances from Gov. Kathy Hochul, Rep. Adriano Espaillat, and city Comptroller Brad Lander, who is competing against Adams in the current election cycle. Hochul, an ally of Adams, responded to inquiries regarding his absence by saying, “Every elected official can make their own decision. I’m glad I’m here today in Harlem.”
Some attendees were more forgiving of Adams than those addressing the congregation, hinting that he may still have support. “I think who was supposed to be here is here,” said minister John Laguer, who was at the event. “We’re not mad at that.”
Max Fischer contributed to this report for TROIB News
“Some that should be here celebrating Dr. King with us in this room have chosen to go to Washington to celebrate felon 47,” said City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, one of New York City’s highest-ranking Black politicians who shares the mayor’s political base, prompting cheers from the audience during an MLK event.
Initially scheduled to attend an event in Brooklyn, the mayor left for Washington around 3 a.m. after receiving a last-minute invitation from Steve Witkoff, a New York real estate developer and Trump’s Middle East envoy, according to his staff.
While his fellow Democrats and reelection rivals honored King in New York City, Adams was in D.C. taking photos with cryptocurrency billionaire Brock Pierce, who previously hosted a campaign fundraiser for him in Puerto Rico and flew him there on his private jet in 2021. The mayor was also seen with influencer brothers Logan and Jake Paul before watching Trump take the oath of office in a Capitol overflow room.
This decision has drawn fire from critics. “He made it very clear that Eric Adams cares more about a pardon than the people,” stated Michael Blake, a former state lawmaker and one of two Black men challenging Adams in the upcoming primary. “It’s absolutely unacceptable that he is celebrating the legacy of Trump, as opposed to the legacy of King.”
Political risks are high for the mayor, as Black voters played a crucial role in his 2021 election victory. He won all major Black neighborhoods in the city and is working to maintain that connection amid challenges during his first term. These voters have consistently opposed Trump, contributing to a significant defeat for him in New York City last year, and former Governor Andrew Cuomo is reportedly considering a challenge to Adams.
Even some prominent Black Democrats, previously sympathetic to the mayor's legal troubles, are growing wary of his interactions with Trump. “To say you’re not going to raise your eyebrows would be being dishonest,” Al Sharpton remarked on MSNBC after learning of the mayor’s trip. “I think that this will cause a lot of us to say: What is this all about?”
Adams had company from within his administration. Chief of Department John Chell and Deputy Commissioner for Operations Kaz Daughtry, close allies of the mayor, were also seen in Washington. Chell had previously attended Trump’s rally in New York City, where he gave an interview to the conservative network Newsmax while in uniform.
The department clarified that their presence was due to a request from D.C. law enforcement for NYPD assistance during the inauguration. However, Chell was also observed mingling with GOP officials.
In defense of his choice, Adams referenced King, referring to Inauguration Day as “a sacred American tradition” in a post on X. “On MLK Day, like Reverend Dr. King said, we must put partisan politics aside to do what’s best for our country. I believe there’s much we can achieve working alongside the federal government as we support our city’s values and fight for New Yorkers.”
Assemblymember Al Taylor, a Black pastor from Harlem, supported the mayor’s decision, expressing hope for beneficial outcomes from the visit. “I’d like to think that he’s going to have some takeaways that are beneficial to the city,” he noted. “I believe he’s going to bring home the bacon. That’s what New York needs, as much as we can.”
Both the mayor and Taylor did not address Adams' upcoming five-count federal bribery case set for trial in April. Trump has signaled openness to granting a pardon to Adams, and both have portrayed their legal challenges as politically motivated actions by the Department of Justice.
“There is a blurred line between what is beneficial for him and what is beneficial for New York City and voters,” commented Basil Smikle Jr., former head of the New York Democratic Party under Cuomo. “Everybody to [Adams’] left will split a lot of votes,” he added, suggesting that Cuomo could emerge as a serious challenger.
Adams had shown interest in attending the inauguration but had been discreet about his plans. At 12:07 Monday morning, his press office released a schedule that included MLK events and a CBS News interview about the inauguration. Hours later, the schedule was amended to reflect his attendance at Trump's inauguration.
His deputy mayor for communications, Fabien Levy, stated the invitation was received from Witkoff after midnight.
The scene in Washington juxtaposed sharply with that in Harlem, where hundreds gathered at Convent Avenue Baptist Church for MLK celebrations. The absence of Adams was noted from the altar. “My staff has been telling me, ‘don’t say anything, Dr. Kilgore,’” remarked Reverend James Kilgore. “We have a few very important elected officials who are not present. So I don’t have to say any more.”
The commemoration, a significant event for Black political power in New York City, featured appearances from Gov. Kathy Hochul, Rep. Adriano Espaillat, and city Comptroller Brad Lander, who is competing against Adams in the current election cycle. Hochul, an ally of Adams, responded to inquiries regarding his absence by saying, “Every elected official can make their own decision. I’m glad I’m here today in Harlem.”
Some attendees were more forgiving of Adams than those addressing the congregation, hinting that he may still have support. “I think who was supposed to be here is here,” said minister John Laguer, who was at the event. “We’re not mad at that.”
Max Fischer contributed to this report for TROIB News
