Eric Adams' Signature Approach Turns into a Political Weakness
Corruption within the NYPD poses a risk to the tough-on-crime mayor's authority regarding policing, yet his opponents have not taken advantage of the recent scandal.
TroibNews 
NEW YORK — The police force that helped propel Eric Adams into the role of New York City mayor is now posing a significant threat to his political future, especially if a rival can effectively capitalize on his vulnerabilities.
As he navigates his reelection year, the tough-on-crime mayor faces mounting chaos and corruption within the higher echelons of the NYPD. This turmoil was highlighted by the sudden resignation of Adams’ chosen chief of department amid sexual assault allegations, a scenario that also saw another high-ranking officer dismissed.
Since taking office, Adams has appointed four police commissioners within three years, having ousted his second top cop following federal raids on the homes of both him and his twin brother. He has also lost his deputy mayor for public safety and a key aide involved in policing matters, both amid ongoing investigations.
In the shadow of this turmoil, New York City voters remain deeply concerned about crime, which they continue to cite as their foremost issue.
The controversy surrounding the nation’s largest police department, which Adams, a former police captain, is attempting to address with the appointment of a new commissioner, Jessica Tisch, could weaken his tenuous grip on the mayoralty. However, challengers to Adams' reelection have been surprisingly reticent about the recent resignation of Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey.
“It’s clear his key campaign message has not been operationalized very well,” Basil Smikle Jr., former head of the New York State Democratic Party, said in an interview. “But trying to consistently convince voters this has negatively impacted their lives is a much harder challenge for his opponents — the onus is really on them to explain why this is disqualifying for [Adams].”
Reflecting this sentiment, many of Adams’ Democratic opponents have refrained from taking advantage of the latest departmental scandal. Last Friday, the New York Post highlighted dramatic allegations made by one of Maddrey’s subordinates, who accused him of repeated sexual assault at NYPD headquarters in return for approving excessive overtime, which also triggered a separate investigation. Maddrey has denied these allegations.
While it seems like an obvious offensive point against a law-and-order mayor, Adams' rivals on the political left are evidently struggling with how best to campaign on his central issue.
“We feel we have to pick our outrage. And frankly, the timing of this one made this a less attractive target. Not particularly noble, but that’s the calculus,” said an aide to one rival campaign, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal strategy.
Another staffer from an opposing campaign noted that the timing of Maddrey’s dismissal before the holiday season deterred them from launching attacks. This conservative response contrasts sharply with the previous month’s swift backlash when Adams faced bribery charges, which he is currently contesting in court.
Independent candidate Jim Walden recently called for a Department of Justice investigation into the sexual abuse allegations surrounding the upper ranks of the NYPD.
“The current police commissioner is doing a great job for New Yorkers, but she is the fourth commissioner in two years in an administration that has zero credibility,” Walden stated, attributing the ongoing issues to the “men the mayor promoted and protected.”
State Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani, a far-left Democrat, echoed this sentiment, noting that Maddrey “wasn’t just the highest ranking uniformed officer but the Mayor’s close friend” and referenced the indictment of Adams’ top aide on bribery charges just a day prior. “In 2025, we’re going to end this ugly chapter in NYC history,” he added.
Adams' management of the NYPD stands in stark contrast to the promises he made during his 2021 campaign, where he vowed to effectively supervise the agency responsible for curbing crime, a message that resonated with voters concerned about a surge in lawlessness during the pandemic.
While Adams has labeled the allegations against Maddrey as “extremely concerning” and pledged an investigation, he notably defended Maddrey last year amid separate misconduct claims, ultimately appointing him to a pivotal position despite his controversial track record.
The mayor's tendency to surround himself with long-time friends in key roles diminishes a crucial department for his reelection as the city struggles to revert to pre-pandemic crime levels — something that has yet to happen.
“It sounds so boring, but it is all about governance,” remarked Elizabeth Glazer, who formerly led the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice under Bill de Blasio. “Do you have the right people in the right places whose commitment is entirely to making the city safer and not lining their pockets? Not to get sexual favors. Not to ensure they have a contract. And not about retaliation.”
Glazer has since established a research and policy journal called Vital City. The publication recently released an analysis seeking to explain why New Yorkers still express concern over crime, despite the city’s status as the safest large metropolis in the country, and despite a decline in most major index crimes under Adams' leadership.
The report pointed out that crime levels remain elevated compared to pre-pandemic figures, with felony assaults on the rise for several years and lower-level offenses such as harassment climbing consistently since 2020, approaching decade-long highs.
Rather than leading a nationwide trend of decreasing crime rates, the report suggested that the NYPD is lagging behind other cities across the state and nation.
The mayor’s office contested the notion that fluctuations in leadership impacted crime statistics.
“When Mayor Adams took office in January 2022, the city faced significant challenges: crime — especially shootings — was surging, homeless encampments were appearing across the five boroughs, and tourism was nearing all-time lows,” stated spokesperson Kayla Mamelak Altus. “Today, crime continues to decline, our Homeless Encampment Task Force has kept our streets from resembling those of other major U.S. cities, jobs in New York City hit an all-time high this year, and tourism has made a remarkable comeback,” she added.
An individual familiar with Adams' mindset argued that the challenges facing New York City extend beyond the mayor's control, citing the repercussions of 2019 bail reform laws, a dysfunctional court system, and Albany’s failure to grant clearer authority to remove individuals struggling with severe mental health issues.
“You could ask anybody in law enforcement and they will tell you those things are a huge problem and the floor for crime is naturally higher now,” this source remarked.
Adams' challengers appear primarily focused on allegations of corruption and mismanagement — an implicit acknowledgment of the challenges they face when campaigning against a former police captain on the issue of crime. According to a New York Times/Siena Poll from October, nearly 30% of New York City voters identified crime as their principal concern, with heightened worry among Hispanic voters and Bronx residents.
“I believe that effective and fair policing go together,” City Comptroller Brad Lander, a candidate positioned to Adams' left, stated in an interview with PMG earlier this year. “And that is largely a management challenge.”
The significance of Adams' current troubles in relation to his reelection prospects in six months may hinge on developments in the courts and among law enforcement agencies. Adams is due to appear in court to face federal bribery charges in April, while additional investigations are underway regarding various individuals who formerly held significant roles within the NYPD, which could bring dysfunction within the agency back into public view, even if Adams’ new commissioner manages to stabilize the situation.
The individual knowledgeable about the mayor's perspective indicated that the campaign is prepared to counter any criticism from left-of-center rivals regarding Adams' management of the NYPD.
“They all have a history of doing things that are so unpopular now that the response to any argument that [Adams] isn’t tough enough on crime will be: Maybe we should just defund the police like you said, [Lander]. Or maybe we should have passed even more lenient criminal justice reforms that would have let more people accused of crimes out of jail, [State Sen. Zellnor Myrie],” the person stated.
Debra A Smith for TROIB News
As he navigates his reelection year, the tough-on-crime mayor faces mounting chaos and corruption within the higher echelons of the NYPD. This turmoil was highlighted by the sudden resignation of Adams’ chosen chief of department amid sexual assault allegations, a scenario that also saw another high-ranking officer dismissed.
Since taking office, Adams has appointed four police commissioners within three years, having ousted his second top cop following federal raids on the homes of both him and his twin brother. He has also lost his deputy mayor for public safety and a key aide involved in policing matters, both amid ongoing investigations.
In the shadow of this turmoil, New York City voters remain deeply concerned about crime, which they continue to cite as their foremost issue.
The controversy surrounding the nation’s largest police department, which Adams, a former police captain, is attempting to address with the appointment of a new commissioner, Jessica Tisch, could weaken his tenuous grip on the mayoralty. However, challengers to Adams' reelection have been surprisingly reticent about the recent resignation of Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey.
“It’s clear his key campaign message has not been operationalized very well,” Basil Smikle Jr., former head of the New York State Democratic Party, said in an interview. “But trying to consistently convince voters this has negatively impacted their lives is a much harder challenge for his opponents — the onus is really on them to explain why this is disqualifying for [Adams].”
Reflecting this sentiment, many of Adams’ Democratic opponents have refrained from taking advantage of the latest departmental scandal. Last Friday, the New York Post highlighted dramatic allegations made by one of Maddrey’s subordinates, who accused him of repeated sexual assault at NYPD headquarters in return for approving excessive overtime, which also triggered a separate investigation. Maddrey has denied these allegations.
While it seems like an obvious offensive point against a law-and-order mayor, Adams' rivals on the political left are evidently struggling with how best to campaign on his central issue.
“We feel we have to pick our outrage. And frankly, the timing of this one made this a less attractive target. Not particularly noble, but that’s the calculus,” said an aide to one rival campaign, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal strategy.
Another staffer from an opposing campaign noted that the timing of Maddrey’s dismissal before the holiday season deterred them from launching attacks. This conservative response contrasts sharply with the previous month’s swift backlash when Adams faced bribery charges, which he is currently contesting in court.
Independent candidate Jim Walden recently called for a Department of Justice investigation into the sexual abuse allegations surrounding the upper ranks of the NYPD.
“The current police commissioner is doing a great job for New Yorkers, but she is the fourth commissioner in two years in an administration that has zero credibility,” Walden stated, attributing the ongoing issues to the “men the mayor promoted and protected.”
State Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani, a far-left Democrat, echoed this sentiment, noting that Maddrey “wasn’t just the highest ranking uniformed officer but the Mayor’s close friend” and referenced the indictment of Adams’ top aide on bribery charges just a day prior. “In 2025, we’re going to end this ugly chapter in NYC history,” he added.
Adams' management of the NYPD stands in stark contrast to the promises he made during his 2021 campaign, where he vowed to effectively supervise the agency responsible for curbing crime, a message that resonated with voters concerned about a surge in lawlessness during the pandemic.
While Adams has labeled the allegations against Maddrey as “extremely concerning” and pledged an investigation, he notably defended Maddrey last year amid separate misconduct claims, ultimately appointing him to a pivotal position despite his controversial track record.
The mayor's tendency to surround himself with long-time friends in key roles diminishes a crucial department for his reelection as the city struggles to revert to pre-pandemic crime levels — something that has yet to happen.
“It sounds so boring, but it is all about governance,” remarked Elizabeth Glazer, who formerly led the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice under Bill de Blasio. “Do you have the right people in the right places whose commitment is entirely to making the city safer and not lining their pockets? Not to get sexual favors. Not to ensure they have a contract. And not about retaliation.”
Glazer has since established a research and policy journal called Vital City. The publication recently released an analysis seeking to explain why New Yorkers still express concern over crime, despite the city’s status as the safest large metropolis in the country, and despite a decline in most major index crimes under Adams' leadership.
The report pointed out that crime levels remain elevated compared to pre-pandemic figures, with felony assaults on the rise for several years and lower-level offenses such as harassment climbing consistently since 2020, approaching decade-long highs.
Rather than leading a nationwide trend of decreasing crime rates, the report suggested that the NYPD is lagging behind other cities across the state and nation.
The mayor’s office contested the notion that fluctuations in leadership impacted crime statistics.
“When Mayor Adams took office in January 2022, the city faced significant challenges: crime — especially shootings — was surging, homeless encampments were appearing across the five boroughs, and tourism was nearing all-time lows,” stated spokesperson Kayla Mamelak Altus. “Today, crime continues to decline, our Homeless Encampment Task Force has kept our streets from resembling those of other major U.S. cities, jobs in New York City hit an all-time high this year, and tourism has made a remarkable comeback,” she added.
An individual familiar with Adams' mindset argued that the challenges facing New York City extend beyond the mayor's control, citing the repercussions of 2019 bail reform laws, a dysfunctional court system, and Albany’s failure to grant clearer authority to remove individuals struggling with severe mental health issues.
“You could ask anybody in law enforcement and they will tell you those things are a huge problem and the floor for crime is naturally higher now,” this source remarked.
Adams' challengers appear primarily focused on allegations of corruption and mismanagement — an implicit acknowledgment of the challenges they face when campaigning against a former police captain on the issue of crime. According to a New York Times/Siena Poll from October, nearly 30% of New York City voters identified crime as their principal concern, with heightened worry among Hispanic voters and Bronx residents.
“I believe that effective and fair policing go together,” City Comptroller Brad Lander, a candidate positioned to Adams' left, stated in an interview with PMG earlier this year. “And that is largely a management challenge.”
The significance of Adams' current troubles in relation to his reelection prospects in six months may hinge on developments in the courts and among law enforcement agencies. Adams is due to appear in court to face federal bribery charges in April, while additional investigations are underway regarding various individuals who formerly held significant roles within the NYPD, which could bring dysfunction within the agency back into public view, even if Adams’ new commissioner manages to stabilize the situation.
The individual knowledgeable about the mayor's perspective indicated that the campaign is prepared to counter any criticism from left-of-center rivals regarding Adams' management of the NYPD.
“They all have a history of doing things that are so unpopular now that the response to any argument that [Adams] isn’t tough enough on crime will be: Maybe we should just defund the police like you said, [Lander]. Or maybe we should have passed even more lenient criminal justice reforms that would have let more people accused of crimes out of jail, [State Sen. Zellnor Myrie],” the person stated.
Debra A Smith for TROIB News
