As important officials resign, New York Governor Hochul considers dismissing NYC Mayor Adams

Mayor Eric Adams has been considered for removal by New York Governor Kathy Hochul after many high-profile resignations within his administration.

Following the resignations of four of his top deputies in the latest repercussions of the Justice Department’s efforts to close the corruption investigation against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, New York Governor Kathy Hochul indicated Monday that she is considering taking him out of office.

Hochul, a Democrat, stated that she will bring together important leaders in Manhattan on Tuesday “for a conversation about the path forward.” She said that the resignation of prominent officials, including First Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer, create “serious questions about the long-term future” of Adams’ government.

Because the Justice Department’s second-in-command ordered federal prosecutors in Manhattan last week to drop Adams’ corruption case in order to secure his cooperation in Republican President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown, the Democrat mayor’s political independence and leadership skills have come under increased scrutiny.

According to a letter from Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove, the lawsuit has “unduly restricted Mayor Adams ability to devote full attention and resources to the illegal immigration and violent crime.”

Hochul stated in a statement, “I understand the constitutional powers granted to this office and the enormous responsibility I hold as governor.” Overturning the will of the people is a major act that should not be taken lightly, since these powers have never been used to remove a validly elected mayor in the 235-year history of New York State. Nevertheless, it is impossible to overlook the concerning behavior at City Hall that has been the subject of reports throughout the last two weeks.

The municipal law outlines a court-like procedure wherein the governor must provide the mayor “an opportunity to be heard in his defense” after serving him with a copy of the allegations she believes call for his dismissal. However, there aren’t many examples or models for how that might operate.

Throughout New York’s history, the removal powers have never been utilized against a sitting mayor, as Hochul pointed out in her remarks.

Adams said earlier Monday that Torres-Springer, Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi, Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Chauncey Parker, and Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom had all left.

Adams, who has a number of opponents in the Democratic primary in June, stated, “I was sad to see them go, but I understand their decision and wish them nothing but success in the future given the current challenges.” “But to be absolutely clear, New York City will continue to move forward, as it does every day.”

In a memo, Torres-Springer, Joshi, and Williams-Isom informed agency employees and heads that they were leaving due to “the extraordinary events of the last few weeks.” Although they did not provide a departure date, Adams stated that they and Parker will stay “for the time being to ensure a seamless transition.”

Seven federal prosecutors, including the acting US attorney for Manhattan, resigned in protest when Bove ordered prosecutors to dismiss Adams’ prosecution, sparking a firestorm in the Justice Department and New York political circles. Other Democrats also called for Adams to step down.

Bove and two Washington-based Justice Department officials intervened on Friday, requesting that Manhattan federal Judge Dale E. Ho dismiss the case following a week of resignations and accusations. He still hasn’t responded to the request.

Last September, Adams, a former police captain, entered a not guilty plea to allegations that, while serving as Brooklyn borough president as a mayoral candidate, he collected over $100,000 in illicit campaign contributions and extravagant travel benefits from foreigners hoping to purchase his influence.

Critics saw the Justice Department’s brief on Friday, which stated that it was trying to have Adams’ charges dismissed with the possibility of later refiling them, as an incentive to guarantee his compliance with the Republican president’s goals. Bove stated in his memo that the new permanent US attorney would examine the case following the November election and ordered prosecutors to drop it.

“It sounds like President Trump is holding the mayor hostage,” Adams ally Rev. Al Sharpton stated on Tuesday. “The mayor has been unfairly placed in a situation that is essentially political blackmail, even though I have supported him.”

With the resignations of the deputy mayors, city council speaker Adrienne Adams became the most recent Democrat to urge the mayor to step down, stating that it is evident that he “has now lost the confidence and trust of his own staff, his colleagues in government, and New Yorkers.”
The mayor has nothing to do with Speaker Adams.

Adams has been urged to resign by other politicians, including Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado and Democratic Representatives Alexandria Ocasio Cortez and Nydia Velázquez.

The drama surrounding Adams’ case unfolded on Thursday when the mayor met with Trump’s border czar in New York and pledged greater collaboration on the administration’s immigration removal efforts, which included the reopening of an immigration authorities office at the city’s infamous Rikers Island jail.

“We have come to the difficult decision to step down from our roles due to the extraordinary events of the last few weeks and to stay faithful to the oaths we swore to New Yorkers and our families,” Torres-Springer, Joshi, and Williams-Isom said in their message to staff announcing their departures.