New York City Mayor Eric Adams faces mounting pressure as four deputy mayors plan to resign following the Justice Department's decision to drop criminal charges against him, citing his alignment with President Donald Trump’s immigration policy. The charges, initially brought in September, accused Adams of accepting travel perks and political donations from Turkish officials in exchange for favors. Adams, elected in 2022, pleaded not guilty and refused to resign.
Local media, including WNBC and The New York Times, reported that First Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer, Deputy Mayor Meera Joshi, Deputy Mayor Anne Williams-Isom, and Deputy Mayor Chauncey Parker intend to leave. Adams held a Zoom meeting on Sunday to persuade them to reconsider, but no resignations have been confirmed.
City Comptroller Brad Lander urged Adams to present a contingency plan, warning he might invoke the city charter to form an Inability Committee to remove him. Governor Kathy Hochul is also considering potential removal proceedings.
The Justice Department's move to dismiss charges after Trump’s return to office on January 20 triggered mass resignations within the department. The dismissal request awaits approval from U.S. District Judge Dale Ho.
Adams' office has not commented on the reports, and the four deputies were unreachable. The political turmoil adds to Adams’ challenges as he resists calls to step down amid legal and political scrutiny. The situation underscores the complex intersection of politics, law, and governance in New York City.