Eric Adams' Legal Defense Strengthened by Biden's Pardon
The mayor has reiterated Trump's assertion that his indictment was driven by political motivations.
TroibNews 
NEW YORK — Mayor Eric Adams has asserted that his federal indictment is a form of retaliation linked to his critique of President Joe Biden’s immigration policies. This political claim lacks substantial evidence.
Biden himself has inadvertently provided Adams with something to reference—quite literally. During a press conference on Tuesday, when asked about Biden's pardon of his son Hunter, Adams retrieved a copy of The New York Times from the lectern and read from a front-page article.
“President Biden and President-elect Donald Trump now agree on one thing: the Biden Justice Department has been politicized,” Adams read aloud.
“Does that sound familiar? I rest my case,” he added with a chuckle.
This statement mirrored Adams’ previous remarks in a video released in September, shortly after the federal prosecutors in Manhattan indicted him on five criminal charges, alleging he accepted bribes from Turkish interests in exchange for official favors. Adams has pleaded not guilty, and his attorney is advocating for an expedited trial to avoid clashing with his reelection campaign.
“I always knew that if I stood my ground for New Yorkers that I would be a target,” he stated in the video. “And a target I became.”
Adams’ comments regarding the Times’ piece on Tuesday resonated with what he communicated to The Wall Street Journal in a column published Wednesday, in response to whether he believes the indictment serves as “payback for his criticism of the party line on migrants.”
“Yes, I do,” Adams replied. “People were not happy with me. It doesn’t have to be the president, because there are a lot of other people unhappy that I fought for this city.”
As a moderate Democrat, Adams often appears more aligned with Republicans than with left-leaning members of his own party. His political stance has been highlighted by his frustration with Biden and a shared narrative of being persecuted by political elites with Trump.
Adams has rarely displayed his position as clearly as he did with the Journal. For much of the past 13 months, since the federal investigation became public, he has generally been measured in his remarks, allowing surrogates, including Trump, to advocate for him regarding the politicized prosecution argument.
However, not fighting back goes against Adams’ disposition.
“In all my life, I’ve never had to have the level of discipline that I have right now. Nothing is more harmful and hurtful than to have leaks come out. The assault on your character. And you have to sit back,” due to advice from his lawyers not to engage.
Adams likened himself to the iconic 1968 image of Muhammad Ali posing as Saint Sebastian, pierced by arrows.
“I believe in fighting for my rights. And this is the hardest thing I have ever done in my entire life,” he said. “The onslaught of this. And I have to remain silent.”
This was a skilled evasion. The mayor was addressing how he could argue that the indictment stemmed from criticism of the Biden administration when prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York indicated that their investigation began in 2021, two years before Adams criticized the White House.
Nevertheless, Adams managed to pivot, once again referring to the Times and repeating the highlighted claim.
“President Biden and President-elect Donald Trump now agree on one thing: the Biden Justice Department has been politicized,” he reiterated. “Now you know if this is in the New York Times, it has to be true,” he quipped with amusement.
On Tuesday, it wasn't the only instance where Adams, a Democrat, aligned with Trump’s rhetoric. The mayor has maintained a cordial relationship with the Republican president-elect, commending him for addressing Americans’ immigration concerns.
Adams also mentioned the increase in the value of his Bitcoin investment, praised Elon Musk’s push for government efficiency, and criticized “cancel culture” for instilling fear in Democrats about advocating for the deportation of immigrants without legal status who commit crimes.
“Well cancel me,” Adams declared. “because I’m going to protect the people of the city.”
Aarav Patel contributed to this report for TROIB News
Biden himself has inadvertently provided Adams with something to reference—quite literally. During a press conference on Tuesday, when asked about Biden's pardon of his son Hunter, Adams retrieved a copy of The New York Times from the lectern and read from a front-page article.
“President Biden and President-elect Donald Trump now agree on one thing: the Biden Justice Department has been politicized,” Adams read aloud.
“Does that sound familiar? I rest my case,” he added with a chuckle.
This statement mirrored Adams’ previous remarks in a video released in September, shortly after the federal prosecutors in Manhattan indicted him on five criminal charges, alleging he accepted bribes from Turkish interests in exchange for official favors. Adams has pleaded not guilty, and his attorney is advocating for an expedited trial to avoid clashing with his reelection campaign.
“I always knew that if I stood my ground for New Yorkers that I would be a target,” he stated in the video. “And a target I became.”
Adams’ comments regarding the Times’ piece on Tuesday resonated with what he communicated to The Wall Street Journal in a column published Wednesday, in response to whether he believes the indictment serves as “payback for his criticism of the party line on migrants.”
“Yes, I do,” Adams replied. “People were not happy with me. It doesn’t have to be the president, because there are a lot of other people unhappy that I fought for this city.”
As a moderate Democrat, Adams often appears more aligned with Republicans than with left-leaning members of his own party. His political stance has been highlighted by his frustration with Biden and a shared narrative of being persecuted by political elites with Trump.
Adams has rarely displayed his position as clearly as he did with the Journal. For much of the past 13 months, since the federal investigation became public, he has generally been measured in his remarks, allowing surrogates, including Trump, to advocate for him regarding the politicized prosecution argument.
However, not fighting back goes against Adams’ disposition.
“In all my life, I’ve never had to have the level of discipline that I have right now. Nothing is more harmful and hurtful than to have leaks come out. The assault on your character. And you have to sit back,” due to advice from his lawyers not to engage.
Adams likened himself to the iconic 1968 image of Muhammad Ali posing as Saint Sebastian, pierced by arrows.
“I believe in fighting for my rights. And this is the hardest thing I have ever done in my entire life,” he said. “The onslaught of this. And I have to remain silent.”
This was a skilled evasion. The mayor was addressing how he could argue that the indictment stemmed from criticism of the Biden administration when prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York indicated that their investigation began in 2021, two years before Adams criticized the White House.
Nevertheless, Adams managed to pivot, once again referring to the Times and repeating the highlighted claim.
“President Biden and President-elect Donald Trump now agree on one thing: the Biden Justice Department has been politicized,” he reiterated. “Now you know if this is in the New York Times, it has to be true,” he quipped with amusement.
On Tuesday, it wasn't the only instance where Adams, a Democrat, aligned with Trump’s rhetoric. The mayor has maintained a cordial relationship with the Republican president-elect, commending him for addressing Americans’ immigration concerns.
Adams also mentioned the increase in the value of his Bitcoin investment, praised Elon Musk’s push for government efficiency, and criticized “cancel culture” for instilling fear in Democrats about advocating for the deportation of immigrants without legal status who commit crimes.
“Well cancel me,” Adams declared. “because I’m going to protect the people of the city.”
Aarav Patel contributed to this report for TROIB News
