Final week, the Trump administration’s Justice Division moved to drop corruption costs in opposition to New York Metropolis Mayor Eric Adams, who has since rebuffed requires his resignation.
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Controversy surrounding New York Metropolis Mayor Eric Adams deepened Monday as 4 of his high aides and deputy mayors introduced they’re resigning. The information comes days after the Trump administration’s Justice Division moved to drop corruption costs in opposition to Adams.
Critics say the DOJ shelved its legal corruption and bribery case in opposition to the Democratic mayor after he agreed to collaborate with President Trump’s immigration crackdown.
Adams faces rising calls from a rising variety of New York state’s Democratic leaders to resign, and now 4 of his most senior aides say they’re leaving his administration.
First Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer, Deputy Mayor for Well being and Human Companies Anne Williams-Isom, Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi and Deputy Mayor for Public Security Chauncey Parker introduced their departures.
In a joint assertion, three of the officers pointed to the “extraordinary occasions” which have rocked Adams’ administration in latest weeks. “To remain trustworthy to the oaths we swore to New Yorkers … we’ve come to the tough determination to step down from our roles,” they stated.
In a separate assertion, Parker stated working for Adams has been an honor, including that he’s “assured that the administration will proceed on our mission to ship for the individuals of this metropolis.”
That is solely the most recent shakeup to hit Adams’ crew because it grew to become clear he confronted a legal investigation by the DOJ. In December, Ingrid Lewis-Martin, certainly one of his chief aides, stepped down shortly earlier than she was indicted by native prosecutors in Manhattan on costs of bribery and conspiracy.
Talking over the weekend, Adams rejected calls that he depart workplace. “Essentially the most sanctified amongst us are calling for me to step down,” Adams stated throughout an look at a Baptist church. “I am not going to step down, I will step up.
In a press release despatched to NPR on Monday, Adams stated he is “dissatisfied” by the most recent resignations.
“However let me be crystal clear: New York Metropolis will hold transferring ahead, simply because it does on daily basis,” Adams stated.
The DOJ’s transfer to shelve costs in opposition to Adams has additionally triggered a shakeup inside the Justice Division itself.
No less than seven prosecutors have resigned in New York and Washington, D.C. The record contains Danielle Sassoon, the performing U.S. lawyer for the Southern District of New York, who stated she was baffled by the concept of strolling away from such a powerful case when her workplace had been planning so as to add new costs in opposition to Adams.
5 legal professionals tied to the general public integrity unit in Washington, additionally resigned reasonably than perform an order to desert the Adams case.
Adams grew to become mayor in January 2020. He was indicted in September 2024 on 5 federal costs, together with bribery, fraud and soliciting unlawful international marketing campaign donations. Prosecutors in New York’s Southern District accused Adams of receiving unlawful marketing campaign donations and luxurious journey advantages from Turkish residents and corporations. Adams’ telephone was seized by FBI brokers who entered the mayor’s official residence, Gracie Mansion.
The mayor has denied any wrongdoing.
The case in opposition to Adams was certainly one of a number of federal investigations into the mayor and his administration. His police commissioner, faculties chancellor and different key members of his crew resigned final 12 months.
