NYC Mayor Eric Adams says he won't step down following indictment on federal corruption charges

NEW YORK — NYC Mayor Eric Adams said he won’t step down amid widespread calls for his resignation following his indictment on charges he raked in $10 million in illegal campaign donations as part of a scheme where he received flight upgrades and travel perks in exchange for carrying out favors for the Turkish government.

At a raucous press conference outside Gracie Mansion Thursday, hecklers shouted over the mayor as he denied the charges and dismissed the indictment as a “story,” asking New Yorkers to “wait and hear our side of the narrative.”

“It’s an unfortunate day and it’s a painful day,” Adams said, flanked by many of the city’s Black faith leaders. “But inside of all of that, it’s a day that will finally reveal why for 10 months I will have gone through this. And I look forward to defending myself.”

Calls for the mayor to resign have flooded in since Wednesday night, when news of the indictment broke.

Antonio Reynoso, Adams’ successor as Brooklyn borough president, called for his resignation. “The mayor cannot lead this city, nor can he in good faith ask the public to put their trust in him.”

The City Council’s Progressive Caucus, which is made up of 18 council members, issued a scathing statement that slammed him as a failed leader and accused him of finger-pointing to distract from the federal investigation.

“This administration has operated with an alarming level of political favoritism, akin to a system of patronage and cronyism we have not seen in almost a century,” read the caucus’ statement. “As progressives, we’ve long been alarmed by his mismanagement of vital public resources and questionable ethics. The details of today’s indictment make it clear that we have been right to call him out.”

Council Speaker Adrienne Adams did not ask Adams to step down — but said that there are “major questions” about the mayor’s ability to govern given his charges.

“I ask the mayor to seriously and honestly consider whether full attention can be given to our deserving New Yorkers who need our government to be sound and stable,” she said.

Among those not calling for Adams to step down was Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, who wrote in a statement that Adams is “entitled to the presumption of justice.”

“A jury of the mayor’s peers will now evaluate the charges in the indictment and ultimately render a determination,” he said. “In the meantime, I pray for the well-being of our great city.”

Adams is the first sitting New York City mayor to be indicted. If he were to resign, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams would take over as mayor.

“It is federal officials’ obligation to prove their case, it is the mayor’s obligation to prove to New Yorkers that there is a real plan and path to govern the city effectively and regain trust, and his time to show that plan is rapidly running out,” Williams said in a statement.

While Adams has remained steadfast that he won’t quit, Gov. Hochul could force him out, according to the city charter.

“Governor Hochul is aware of these concerning news reports and is monitoring the situation. It would be premature to comment further until the matter is confirmed by law enforcement,” Hochul spokesperson Avi Small said in a statement early Thursday.

The indictment, unsealed Thursday morning, alleges that Adams engaged in a yearslong scheme to solicit and accept illegal straw donations to his campaign in exchange for luxury travel perks. The charges include conspiracy to commit wire fraud, federal program bribery, receiving campaign contributions by foreign nationals, and solicitation of a contribution by a foreign national.

Turkish foreign nationals sought to cash in on Adams’ rising political star, according to prosecutors. In 2021, when it became apparent that Adams, who was Brooklyn borough president at the time, would become mayor, they called in their chips on the relationship — telling Adams it was his turn to “repay” them, according to the indictment.

Adams denied the charges, stating that he “follow[s] the law.”

“This is not surprising to us at all,” he said outside the mayor’s official residence on the Upper East Side. “The actions that have unfolded over the past 10 months — the leaks, the commentary, the demonization — this did not surprise us that we reached this day.”

Hecklers yelled as Adams made his remarks, calling him “disgrace to this city” and “an embarrassment to black people.”

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(With Anusha Bayya)

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