Tell It to the Judge
Donald Trump’s victory could portend a major stroke of luck for Mayor Eric Adams if the 47th president follows up on his claim that "lunatic" prosecutors have "persecuted" the mayor and orders his attorney general to withdraw the federal case against Adams.
Or if Adams is successfully convicted by U.S. attorneys from the Southern District of New York, Trump could pardon him.
How that plays out may take some time. Although Trump will likely move to replace Manhattan U.S. Attorney Damian Williams right away with a prosecutor more willing to see things his way, whomever he picks must still be confirmed by the Senate, a process that could take months.
The Clock is Ticking — Legally and Politically
Adams’ trial is set for April 21, 2025, and the mayoral primary takes place on June 24. It’s possible that whatever Trump sets into motion may not come to bear until the trial is complete, or until voters go to the polls.
That would trigger what some experts see as the most likely scenario: Trump could simply pardon the mayor if he’s convicted.
A Direct Path to Pardon
"If President Trump is looking to help Mayor Adams, the most direct and clean path to doing so is a pardon rather than trying to influence a new U.S. Attorney’s approach to the case," said Arlo Devlin-Brown, former chief of the public corruption unit in the Manhattan U.S. attorney’s office and currently a partner at the law firm of Covington & Burling.
Private Conversations and Public Speculation
At a press briefing Wednesday at City Hall, Adams congratulated Trump and Vice President-elect J.D. Vance, promising to call Trump soon. As the briefing ended, Adams smiled and said nothing when a reporter asked if he thought Trump’s return to the White House would help him in his ongoing criminal case.
Speculation and Controversy
Speculation that Trump could intervene on Adams’ behalf has been fueled by Trump’s baseless claims that the Biden administration targeted Adams because of his repeated demands that the administration tighten up the border and do more to help the city manage a wave of incoming migrants.
The Next Steps
For the moment, Adams’ criminal case will continue to inch forward under a schedule set by Manhattan Federal Judge Dale Ho, with prosecutors continuing to hand over hundreds of thousands of emails and text messages obtained during their three-year investigation.
The Politics of Pardons
Trump’s prior critiques of all the criminal cases currently pending against him — particularly the federal indictment brought by Special Counsel Jack Smith charging him with conspiring to overthrow the results of the 2020 election — imply that once he’s elected, he will order his attorney general to terminate those cases.
The Complexities of Case Withdrawal
But would that compulsion extend to other defendants he feels are being treated unjustly, like Adams? That could be a difficult action to defend if the case is a strong one. Carter noted that the public hasn’t seen the full extent of the federal government’s case against Adams, particularly the cooperating witnesses the indictment makes clear are behind the scenes.
Conclusion
The fate of Mayor Eric Adams’ criminal case hangs in the balance as Donald Trump prepares to take office. While some experts believe Trump may pardon Adams if he’s convicted, others argue that the case is too strong and that Trump’s interference could be seen as an attempt to subvert the justice system. As the trial approaches, one thing is certain: the political stakes are high, and the outcome is far from certain.
FAQs
Q: Can Trump pardon Adams if he’s convicted?
A: Yes, Trump could pardon Adams if he’s convicted, but it would depend on the circumstances and the strength of the case against him.
Q: Can Trump influence the U.S. Attorney’s approach to the case?
A: Yes, Trump can appoint a new U.S. Attorney, but they would still need to be confirmed by the Senate, a process that could take months.
Q: Can Trump dismiss the case?
A: No, Trump cannot dismiss the case without the approval of the judge handling the case, Manhattan Federal Judge Dale Ho.
