It was a difficult day for Eric Adams On Thursday, he became the first sitting New York City mayor to be indicted on criminal charges. But the conservative Democrat had at least one man in his camp: Donald Trumpwho compared the mayor’s problems with the law to his own and accused federal law enforcement of a political stunt. “They are dirty players,” Trump said at a news conference in New York. “They are bad people and we need an honest Justice Department.” We need an honest FBI, and we need it fast. »
Adams, a former New York police captain, was indicted Thursday on five corruption charges, including wire fraud, bribery and soliciting foreign campaign contributions, following an investigation federal three-year term. But, according to Trump, the real The motive for the indictment was the mayor’s criticism of the Biden administration’s handling of the border last year. “About a year ago, I heard about how illegal immigrants were harming our city, and that the federal government should pay us, and we shouldn’t have to put up with them. And I said: you know what? He will be indicted within a year,” Trump claimed baselessly. “We have people using the Department of Justice and the FBI at levels that have never been seen before,” Trump insisted.
Adams, who has denied any wrongdoing and vowed to “fight” the accusations, also implied – also baselessly – that the indictment was political. “I always knew that if I held out for all of you,” he said in a video message to New Yorkers Wednesday night, “I would be a target.”
Perhaps it’s no surprise that Trump and Adams are on the same page. Both are brash, have immense self-esteem, and ran for law enforcement only to find themselves in considerable legal trouble: Adams with his corruption charges; Trump with his four indictments, one of which led to his conviction on 34 counts earlier this year. Three Trump cases have been placed in limbo. Trump is expected to be sentenced in his hush money case later this fall, but the guilty verdict doesn’t appear to hurt him, as his supporters have taken to wearing shirts that read: “I’m Voting for the convicted criminal.”
Adams’ fall should be an opportunity for Democrats to draw a contrast with Republicans, who have rallied behind their corrupt leader, and to break with the New York mayor, who once billed himself as “the “future of the Democratic Party.” New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has already requested her resignation, saying Wednesday that she could not “see how Mayor Adams can continue to govern New York City.” But other Democrats seem hesitant: the governor of New York Kathy Hochul said Thursday that the indictment was a “very serious matter” – do you think? — but stopped short of calling for his resignation, saying Adams should “take the next few days to review the situation and find an appropriate path forward.” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and parliamentary minority leader Hakeem Jeffries— both New Yorkers — did not immediately call for his resignation, suggesting they would let the legal process play out first. President Joe Bidenwho has kept his distance from Adams for the past two years, was asked Thursday whether he should resign. “I don’t know,” the president said.
Still, Democratic pressure is mounting on Adams, who was arraigned Friday morning in Manhattan, and he increasingly appears to be a cause celebre among figures like Elon Musk and others to the right of MAGA. “I wish him well,” Trump said Thursday.
