Eric Adams, Newly Unencumbered, Attacks Cuomo’s Right Flank
The mayor of New York City has become increasingly enthusiastic in his criticism of his electoral opponents following the successful dismissal of his bribery case by officials from the Trump administration.
TroibNews 
NEW YORK — New York City Mayor Eric Adams is exhibiting a renewed sense of vigor, and on Tuesday, he aimed much of that focus at Andrew Cuomo.
Following the dismissal of Adams’ five-count bribery case by President Donald Trump’s Department of Justice, the mayor has been increasingly confident in criticizing his rivals from the City Hall Blue Room during his weekly press conferences.
During a press conference on Tuesday, Adams took the opportunity to critique Cuomo, who is currently leading the mayoral race.
The Democratic primary candidates have mostly targeted the former governor from the left, labeling him as too lenient toward Trump and noting that some Trump supporters have contributed to a super PAC backing Cuomo.
Adams, running on an independent ticket in the general election, is taking a right-leaning approach in hopes of appealing to moderate voters concerned about progressive policies. He has specifically criticized Cuomo for endorsing changes to criminal justice regulations in 2019, particularly bail reform, which Adams and other city officials claim are harmful to public safety.
“I was the moderate first,” Adams remarked when questioned about the shared base of Black voters between himself and Cuomo. “I didn’t pass bail reform.”
The mayor's stance aligns with that of the conservative New York Post editorial board, which has consistently opposed the alterations to state law and issued a harsh critique of Cuomo following the release of his campaign launch video. The prominent tabloid, along with the mayor’s strong public platform, poses a potential threat to Cuomo's appeal among moderate voters.
“He's running from his record,” Adams asserted on Tuesday. “When you look at what he allowed the far left to do when he was in office, I'm not sure he wouldn't allow that … again.”
In response, Cuomo spokesperson Jason Elan asserted that the former governor has successfully handled primary and general election challengers throughout his career and believes he resonates with the political views of most New Yorkers.
“When you’re getting attacked from the fringes of the far-left and -right, you know you’re doing something right,” Elan stated.
Adams also went after other opponents during his expansive press briefing, accusing Council Speaker Adrienne Adams of bringing politics into her role by demoting two officials who supported Cuomo.
“It’s unfortunate when individuals use their personal ambition to get in the way of what we need to do for the city,” the mayor said. “I’ve never done that.”
The speaker’s office, however, disagreed.
“The mayor says a lot of things that are not true,” spokesperson Mandela Jones commented. “Anyone can see that Speaker Adrienne Adams was not planning to run for mayor until Eric Adams embarrassed and undermined New York City by trying to hand City Hall over to President Trump.”
The Council is currently suing the administration over the mayor’s plans to allow U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement into a municipal jail facility, claiming he violated his oath of office through his dealings with the Trump administration — an allegation the mayor has denied.
Adams also criticized City Comptroller Brad Lander, a mayoral candidate, for reducing the city’s investments in Israeli bonds.
“He’s not willing to invest in Israel anymore to get endorsements from people,” Adams stated.
In rebuttal, Lander clarified that investments in Israeli companies have increased since he took office and that he is merely following a past policy of avoiding foreign sovereign debt, although previous comptrollers maintained a larger investment in Israeli bonds.
“Eric Adams lies about a lot of things,” Lander responded when asked about the mayor’s claims. “So it wouldn't surprise me that this is one of them.”
James del Carmen for TROIB News
Following the dismissal of Adams’ five-count bribery case by President Donald Trump’s Department of Justice, the mayor has been increasingly confident in criticizing his rivals from the City Hall Blue Room during his weekly press conferences.
During a press conference on Tuesday, Adams took the opportunity to critique Cuomo, who is currently leading the mayoral race.
The Democratic primary candidates have mostly targeted the former governor from the left, labeling him as too lenient toward Trump and noting that some Trump supporters have contributed to a super PAC backing Cuomo.
Adams, running on an independent ticket in the general election, is taking a right-leaning approach in hopes of appealing to moderate voters concerned about progressive policies. He has specifically criticized Cuomo for endorsing changes to criminal justice regulations in 2019, particularly bail reform, which Adams and other city officials claim are harmful to public safety.
“I was the moderate first,” Adams remarked when questioned about the shared base of Black voters between himself and Cuomo. “I didn’t pass bail reform.”
The mayor's stance aligns with that of the conservative New York Post editorial board, which has consistently opposed the alterations to state law and issued a harsh critique of Cuomo following the release of his campaign launch video. The prominent tabloid, along with the mayor’s strong public platform, poses a potential threat to Cuomo's appeal among moderate voters.
“He's running from his record,” Adams asserted on Tuesday. “When you look at what he allowed the far left to do when he was in office, I'm not sure he wouldn't allow that … again.”
In response, Cuomo spokesperson Jason Elan asserted that the former governor has successfully handled primary and general election challengers throughout his career and believes he resonates with the political views of most New Yorkers.
“When you’re getting attacked from the fringes of the far-left and -right, you know you’re doing something right,” Elan stated.
Adams also went after other opponents during his expansive press briefing, accusing Council Speaker Adrienne Adams of bringing politics into her role by demoting two officials who supported Cuomo.
“It’s unfortunate when individuals use their personal ambition to get in the way of what we need to do for the city,” the mayor said. “I’ve never done that.”
The speaker’s office, however, disagreed.
“The mayor says a lot of things that are not true,” spokesperson Mandela Jones commented. “Anyone can see that Speaker Adrienne Adams was not planning to run for mayor until Eric Adams embarrassed and undermined New York City by trying to hand City Hall over to President Trump.”
The Council is currently suing the administration over the mayor’s plans to allow U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement into a municipal jail facility, claiming he violated his oath of office through his dealings with the Trump administration — an allegation the mayor has denied.
Adams also criticized City Comptroller Brad Lander, a mayoral candidate, for reducing the city’s investments in Israeli bonds.
“He’s not willing to invest in Israel anymore to get endorsements from people,” Adams stated.
In rebuttal, Lander clarified that investments in Israeli companies have increased since he took office and that he is merely following a past policy of avoiding foreign sovereign debt, although previous comptrollers maintained a larger investment in Israeli bonds.
“Eric Adams lies about a lot of things,” Lander responded when asked about the mayor’s claims. “So it wouldn't surprise me that this is one of them.”
James del Carmen for TROIB News
