Following reports that New York City Mayor Eric Adams had been indicted on corruption allegations by a federal grand jury, federal investigators raided his Manhattan house before dawn on Thursday, prompting increasing calls for his resignation.
On Thursday morning, federal agents conducted a search of Adams’s official residence, seemingly ending a long-running corruption investigation into allegations of possible conspiracy involving the mayor and others to launder illicit foreign funds into his campaign accounts. The investigation had focused on potential ties to the Turkish government and other nations.
Starting at approximately 6am, search operations commenced at the Upper East Side mansion Gracie. This was in the hours leading up to the expected announcement of federal charges against Adams and unsealing of the indictment by the US attorney for the southern district of New York, along with officials from the FBI and the city’s department of investigation.
Adams was reportedly facing prosecution under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (Fara), according to news radio station 1010 Wins. The New York Times reports that South Korea, Uzbekistan, China, Israel, and Qatar have all had their dealings with Adams investigated.
Federal officials were reportedly looking into whether Adams’s 2021 campaign accepted unlawful payments, including from the Turkish government, according to the outlet’s citation of a search order in early November 2023.
Adams, a Democrat, stated his innocence and anticipated being charged with federal offenses; he would go on to become the first of the 110 mayors of the city to face criminal charges while serving in office. That any accusations were brought up would be “entirely false, based on lies” was his last point. He was adamant about staying in office even while he fought them.
Members of the left side of the Democratic Party, including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a lawmaker from the Bronx, demanded that Adam step down before Wednesday’s indictment.
After other city officials, including the police commissioner, resigned, Ocasio-Cortez stated, “I do not see how Mayor Adams can continue governing New York City.”
“He ought to step down for the sake of the city,” Ocasio-Cortez remarked.
After hearing the news of the charge, New York Comptroller Brad Lander called Wednesday a “sad day for New Yorkers” and said that “the most appropriate path forward” would be for Adams to resign.
“It is evident that defending himself against serious federal charges will require a significant amount of the time and attention needed to govern this great city,” said the city’s chief financial manager, who intends to run against Adams in 2025. He further stated that Adams deserved the presumption of innocence.
In order for other officials to “focus on the business of the city,” Scott Stringer, who is running for mayor and is the president of the Manhattan Borough, argued that the mayor should resign.
“We are not involved in his fight,” Stringer stated.
However, the views of the other city council members were more varied. While he was “not there yet” in demanding that Adams go, Oswald Feliz did say as much.
“Corrupt cop Eric Adams needs to resign,” stated Chi Ossé, a progressive from Brooklyn. His campaign was the initial target of this corruption investigation, which has now deposed half of his leadership. They appear guilty, I’ll admit it.
Most significantly, our city is currently not being controlled by anyone. Nobody is in charge of our healthcare system, schools, or police. Someone needs to be in charge of this metropolis of 9 million people.
Several other city council members have joined the chorus of voices demanding Adams’ resignation, including Tiffany Cabán, Alexa Avilés, Shekar Krishnan, Lincoln Restler, Chris Banks, and Bob Holden.
Adams would be removed from office and Jumaane Williams, who is the public advocate for the city, would be elected mayor. An election would have to be held within 80 days.
Foreign diplomats, including several with whom Adams may have had dealings, are flooding the city for the United Nations general assembly when the indictment is announced.
Joe and Jill Biden, who were both in attendance at the New York reception held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, spoke shortly before the announcement, and Adams was among others who made an appearance. The assembly did not hear an address from Adams.
Over the last 30 days, chaos has reigned at New York City Hall. Following the seizure of his phone by FBI investigators, Police Commissioner Edward Caban resigned earlier this month. She could “no longer effectively serve” as Adams’ top legal adviser, so she quit a few days later.
David Banks announced his retirement from his position as chancellor of the city’s public schools this week. It had already been confiscated.
Kathy Hochul, the governor of New York, is the only elected person in the state who can remove Adams from office, but she has been silent over the latest events.
