Queens Democrats Call for Mayor Adams’ Removal after Federal Corruption Charges Dismissed
Following the dismissal of federal corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, elected officials across Queens have called for his removal from office.
The Department of Justice’s decision to drop the case has raised concerns among prominent Democrats, who allege that President Donald Trump now holds political leverage over the mayor.
DOJ Officials Resign in Protest
Acting US Attorney for Manhattan Danielle Sassoon and five senior DOJ officials in Washington DC have resigned in protest after the Justice Department moved to drop federal corruption charges against Adams earlier in the week.
The Allegations
The Mayor was charged last September with one count of conspiracy to receive campaign contributions from foreign nationals and commit wire fraud and bribery, two counts of soliciting campaign contributions from foreign nationals and one count of soliciting and accepting a bribe.
A Number of Queens Democrats Express Concern
A number of Queens Democrats expressed concern after NBC News reported Thursday evening that it had obtained a letter from Sassoon alleging that Adams engaged in a “quid pro quo” with the Justice Department, alleging that attorneys representing Adams indicated that the Mayor “would be in a position to assist with Department’s enforcement priorities only if the indictment were dismissed.”
U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s Statement
U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez described the allegations as “explosive” and accused the Mayor of putting New York City “at risk” in exchange for the DOJ dropping charges against him.
“As long as Trump wields this leverage over Adams, the city is endangered. We cannot be governed under coercion,” Ocasio-Cortez wrote in a post on X. “If Adams won’t resign, he must be removed.”
U.S. Rep. Nydia Velázquez’s Statement
U.S. Rep. Nydia Velázquez, meanwhile, called on the Mayor to resign from office, again citing the allegations obtained by NBC News.
“These allegations are damning. An explicit quid pro quo. Mayor Adams backed Trump’s immigration agenda to dodge corruption charges. NYC can’t be led by someone under Trump’s thumb and willing to sell out New Yorkers. Mayor Adams must resign,” Velázquez said in a post on X.
Attorney’s Response
Alex Spiro, an attorney representing the Mayor, dismissed allegations of a quid pro quo as a “total lie.”
“We offered nothing, and the department asked nothing of us,” Spiro said in a statement to CNBC.
Immigration Groups React
However, Adams faced further criticism from immigration groups Thursday after announcing that he would open Rikers Island to ICE agents. Adams made the announcement following a meeting with Trump border czar Tom Homan on Thursday and promised to reopen ICE offices on Rikers Island.
Condemnation from State and Local Officials
State Sen. Jessica Ramos and Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani, who are both challenging Adams in the 2025 mayoral elections, published separate statements calling for the Mayor to be removed from office following reports of the alleged quid pro quo.
Mamdani, citing the allegations, called on Hochul to remove Adams from office, stating that Adams is now endangering New Yorkers.
“Eric Adams’ corruption has become a danger to all New Yorkers. Governor Hochul should remove him from office immediately,” Mamdani said in a statement
Conclusion
The dismissal of federal corruption charges against Mayor Eric Adams has raised serious concerns among Queens Democrats, who are calling for his removal from office. The allegations of a quid pro quo with the Justice Department have sparked outrage, with many calling for the Mayor’s resignation or removal from office.
FAQs
Q: What are the allegations against Mayor Eric Adams?
A: The allegations include conspiracy to receive campaign contributions from foreign nationals and commit wire fraud and bribery, as well as soliciting and accepting a bribe.
Q: Why did the Justice Department drop the charges against Mayor Adams?
A: The Justice Department has not officially stated why it dropped the charges, but it is alleged that the decision was made in exchange for the Mayor’s cooperation with the Department’s enforcement priorities.
Q: What is a quid pro quo?
A: A quid pro quo is a Latin phrase that means “something for something” or “this for that.” In this context, it refers to an exchange of favors or benefits between the Mayor and the Justice Department in exchange for the dismissal of the charges against him.
Q: What is the reaction of the Mayor’s attorney to the allegations?
A: The Mayor’s attorney, Alex Spiro, has dismissed the allegations as a “total lie,” stating that the Mayor offered nothing in exchange for the Justice Department’s cooperation and the department asked nothing of him.
Q: What is the reaction of Governor Hochul to the allegations?
A: Governor Hochul has not ruled out using her authority to remove the Mayor from office, but has stated that she wants to avoid making any “knee-jerk, politically motivated action” regarding the matter.
