New York City Mayor Eric Adams Faces Indictment
The public will have access to the charges against Adams on Thursday.
TroibNews 
NEW YORK — Federal prosecutors have indicted New York City Mayor Eric Adams, making him the first mayor in the city's history to face charges while in office.
This significant development follows a lengthy investigation that has cast a shadow over the moderate Democrat for nearly a year. The indictment — along with multiple law enforcement investigations that have prompted several high-profile resignations — jeopardizes Adams’ prospects for reelection in 2025.
Following the indictment's announcement, nearly all of Adams’ rivals urged him to resign.
The investigation is overseen by U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Damian Williams, who has not commented through a spokesperson.
Details regarding the specific charges in the sealed indictment remain unknown, but Williams is expected to publicly disclose them on Thursday.
On Wednesday evening, Adams convened with key aides, including former Chief of Staff Frank Carone, at Gracie Mansion, the mayor’s official residence, to strategize a response to the news, which had been speculated throughout the day. Carone stated that Adams had not received prior notification about the impending indictment before the news broke. When asked about Adams' state of mind, Carone described him as "very strong." “Sad day for the mayor and for the city,” he added. Carone insisted that Adams should "never" resign, saying, "He deserves a day in court and he'll have it."
After The New York Times reported on the indictment, the mayor released a statement asserting his innocence and committing to fight the charges. "I always knew that if I stood my ground for New Yorkers that I would be a target — and a target I became," Adams said. "If I am charged, I am innocent and will fight this with every ounce of my strength and spirit."
In a follow-up video issued by his office, Adams again attempted to preempt the prosecutors' announcement of charges. “It is now my belief the federal government plans to charge me with crimes. If so, these charges will be entirely false, based on lies,” he claimed. He also referred to ongoing leaks and rumors aimed at damaging his credibility, mentioning the FBI raid on the home of his recently appointed interim police commissioner, who succeeded former NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban after his resignation due to a separate federal investigation.
As Adams maintains his innocence amidst mounting pressure, the calls for his resignation have amplified. City Comptroller Brad Lander stated the most fitting course of action is for Adams to step down. Meanwhile, State Sen. Zellnor Myrie emphasized the need for “a leader who is fully focused, without distraction," adding, "Today I am calling on him to resign." Former Comptroller Scott Stringer echoed similar sentiments, asserting that government operations cannot proceed effectively in the current environment, stating, “The mayor needs to resign for the good of the city.”
Though he has faced increased scrutiny, Adams remains resolute and has declared he will not resign. “The people of this city elected me to fight for them, and I will stay and fight no matter what,” he declared earlier in response to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's calls for his resignation.
Should Adams resign, New York City's Public Advocate Jumaane Williams would assume the role of acting mayor, with a special election scheduled to fill the position.
“The news of this indictment is itself incredibly serious,” stated Williams' spokesperson, William Gerlich. “As the facts emerge, the public advocate will have more to say.”
The calls for Adams’ resignation reflect not just political strategy but also a significant moment in New York City history, as the city has never seen a sitting mayor criminally charged. Doug Muzzio, a retired political science professor at Baruch College, noted, “We’ve never had a mayor with criminal charges. The law-and-order mayor broke the law — allegedly. But they’re not going to indict a sitting mayor unless they have an airtight case.”
Adams and his campaign have consistently asserted his innocence despite a series of FBI investigations targeting associates of his 2021 campaign. On Nov. 2, federal agents conducted raids and interviews at various locations tied to Adams, including those associated with his former campaign treasurer and aides. Following these developments, agents also intercepted Adams on the street to confiscate several electronic devices.
Through all of this, Adams has insisted he has not violated any laws. “It takes a great deal of discipline to defend yourself when you know you have done nothing wrong,” he remarked in August, following news of further subpoenas directed at him and his administration. “But I trust my team.”
His legal team includes attorneys from WilmerHale, with inquiries directed at the mayor’s former chief counsel, Brendan McGuire, going unanswered initially.
Despite the turmoil, Adams retains support from prominent Black New Yorkers, such as NAACP New York State Conference President Hazel Dukes. "This is just unreal, and I am angry, and I will stand with him all the way," expressed the 92-year-old Dukes, who has known Adams for three decades. "He should not resign. He should have his day in court."
Alongside other allies, some, including state Sen. Leroy Comrie, have previously characterized the investigation as politically or racially motivated, calling it a "witch hunt." There are speculations that the probe by President Joe Biden’s Justice Department is a response to Adams' critiques of the administration's border policies.
The timing of the indictment, occurring within weeks of a presidential election, is notable as it deviates from the Justice Department’s typical practice of avoiding overt actions in political cases near elections, known as the 60-day rule.
Adams has strong ties to the Turkish community in Brooklyn, where he previously served as a state senator and borough president prior to becoming mayor in 2022. He has raised significant funds for his reelection campaign, though the indictment's impact on those efforts remains uncertain. Numerous challengers have already launched campaign accounts, and former Gov. Andrew Cuomo has been observed as a potential entrant should Adams face substantial challenges from the case.
Additional reporting from Jason Beeferman and Timmy Facciola.
Ian Smith contributed to this report for TROIB News
This significant development follows a lengthy investigation that has cast a shadow over the moderate Democrat for nearly a year. The indictment — along with multiple law enforcement investigations that have prompted several high-profile resignations — jeopardizes Adams’ prospects for reelection in 2025.
Following the indictment's announcement, nearly all of Adams’ rivals urged him to resign.
The investigation is overseen by U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Damian Williams, who has not commented through a spokesperson.
Details regarding the specific charges in the sealed indictment remain unknown, but Williams is expected to publicly disclose them on Thursday.
On Wednesday evening, Adams convened with key aides, including former Chief of Staff Frank Carone, at Gracie Mansion, the mayor’s official residence, to strategize a response to the news, which had been speculated throughout the day. Carone stated that Adams had not received prior notification about the impending indictment before the news broke. When asked about Adams' state of mind, Carone described him as "very strong." “Sad day for the mayor and for the city,” he added. Carone insisted that Adams should "never" resign, saying, "He deserves a day in court and he'll have it."
After The New York Times reported on the indictment, the mayor released a statement asserting his innocence and committing to fight the charges. "I always knew that if I stood my ground for New Yorkers that I would be a target — and a target I became," Adams said. "If I am charged, I am innocent and will fight this with every ounce of my strength and spirit."
In a follow-up video issued by his office, Adams again attempted to preempt the prosecutors' announcement of charges. “It is now my belief the federal government plans to charge me with crimes. If so, these charges will be entirely false, based on lies,” he claimed. He also referred to ongoing leaks and rumors aimed at damaging his credibility, mentioning the FBI raid on the home of his recently appointed interim police commissioner, who succeeded former NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban after his resignation due to a separate federal investigation.
As Adams maintains his innocence amidst mounting pressure, the calls for his resignation have amplified. City Comptroller Brad Lander stated the most fitting course of action is for Adams to step down. Meanwhile, State Sen. Zellnor Myrie emphasized the need for “a leader who is fully focused, without distraction," adding, "Today I am calling on him to resign." Former Comptroller Scott Stringer echoed similar sentiments, asserting that government operations cannot proceed effectively in the current environment, stating, “The mayor needs to resign for the good of the city.”
Though he has faced increased scrutiny, Adams remains resolute and has declared he will not resign. “The people of this city elected me to fight for them, and I will stay and fight no matter what,” he declared earlier in response to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's calls for his resignation.
Should Adams resign, New York City's Public Advocate Jumaane Williams would assume the role of acting mayor, with a special election scheduled to fill the position.
“The news of this indictment is itself incredibly serious,” stated Williams' spokesperson, William Gerlich. “As the facts emerge, the public advocate will have more to say.”
The calls for Adams’ resignation reflect not just political strategy but also a significant moment in New York City history, as the city has never seen a sitting mayor criminally charged. Doug Muzzio, a retired political science professor at Baruch College, noted, “We’ve never had a mayor with criminal charges. The law-and-order mayor broke the law — allegedly. But they’re not going to indict a sitting mayor unless they have an airtight case.”
Adams and his campaign have consistently asserted his innocence despite a series of FBI investigations targeting associates of his 2021 campaign. On Nov. 2, federal agents conducted raids and interviews at various locations tied to Adams, including those associated with his former campaign treasurer and aides. Following these developments, agents also intercepted Adams on the street to confiscate several electronic devices.
Through all of this, Adams has insisted he has not violated any laws. “It takes a great deal of discipline to defend yourself when you know you have done nothing wrong,” he remarked in August, following news of further subpoenas directed at him and his administration. “But I trust my team.”
His legal team includes attorneys from WilmerHale, with inquiries directed at the mayor’s former chief counsel, Brendan McGuire, going unanswered initially.
Despite the turmoil, Adams retains support from prominent Black New Yorkers, such as NAACP New York State Conference President Hazel Dukes. "This is just unreal, and I am angry, and I will stand with him all the way," expressed the 92-year-old Dukes, who has known Adams for three decades. "He should not resign. He should have his day in court."
Alongside other allies, some, including state Sen. Leroy Comrie, have previously characterized the investigation as politically or racially motivated, calling it a "witch hunt." There are speculations that the probe by President Joe Biden’s Justice Department is a response to Adams' critiques of the administration's border policies.
The timing of the indictment, occurring within weeks of a presidential election, is notable as it deviates from the Justice Department’s typical practice of avoiding overt actions in political cases near elections, known as the 60-day rule.
Adams has strong ties to the Turkish community in Brooklyn, where he previously served as a state senator and borough president prior to becoming mayor in 2022. He has raised significant funds for his reelection campaign, though the indictment's impact on those efforts remains uncertain. Numerous challengers have already launched campaign accounts, and former Gov. Andrew Cuomo has been observed as a potential entrant should Adams face substantial challenges from the case.
Additional reporting from Jason Beeferman and Timmy Facciola.
Ian Smith contributed to this report for TROIB News
