Justice Department Instructs Federal Prosecutors to Drop Charges Against New York Mayor Eric Adams
Washington -- The Department of Justice has directed federal prosecutors in New York to discontinue their corruption case against New York Mayor Eric Adams.
Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove issued a memo on Monday instructing the Southern District of New York prosecutors to abandon the charges.
This surprising decision follows a meeting in late January between department lawyers, Adams' attorneys, and Manhattan federal prosecutors, where senior officials discussed dismissing the charges against the mayor.
In September, Adams was indicted on five counts, including bribery, conspiracy, and campaign finance violations, to which he pleaded not guilty. The trial for the mayor is set to commence in April.
Even though the decision to drop the charges is made, it still requires formal submission by prosecutors and the approval of the judge overseeing the case.
Since his indictment, Adams has fostered relationships with President Trump and his administration. He met with Trump in Florida prior to taking office and attended his inauguration in Washington, D.C. Last week, Adams participated in the National Prayer Breakfast but stated that he did not discuss his corruption case with Trump during their meeting.
Federal immigration enforcement operations have intensified nationwide, including in New York. However, the city has largely escaped being targeted by the Trump administration, which recently sued Chicago and Illinois over immigration policies. Sources within City Hall informed CBS News New York that they believe Adams' connections with the White House played a role in this exemption.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated that Adams has been cooperative with the DHS and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Adams clarified that DHS operations focus on violent criminals. In late January, he instructed the NYPD to assist federal law enforcement in operations targeting a suspected gang member. "Our commitment to protecting our city's law-abiding residents, both citizens and immigrants, remains unwavering," he declared on Jan. 28.
However, Adams' cooperation with federal authorities has created concerns among some state legislators and advocacy groups. They criticized a memo from Adams prior to Trump's inauguration that outlined how city officials should engage with federal immigration agents, which included guidelines that could lead to potential violations of sanctuary city laws. A City Hall spokesperson emphasized that the memo was not intended to serve as universal guidance for all city agencies.
As a designated "sanctuary city," New York prohibits local resources from aiding civil immigration enforcement except for violent criminals. Critics argue that Adams' memo contradicts this principle.
Adams is among four mayors scheduled to testify before Congress on March 5, as requested by House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, as part of an inquiry into sanctuary cities.
In his corruption case, Adams is accused of receiving illegal campaign donations and benefits from a Turkish official and foreign nationals trying to sway his decision-making. Several members of his administration have been implicated and charged in the investigation, with one former aide admitting guilt last week.
In January, federal prosecutors suggested that additional charges might be forthcoming, disclosing that they have been uncovering more criminal conduct by Adams and identifying new individuals involved in his case.
Adams has claimed that he was targeted by the Justice Department under former President Biden due to his criticism of Biden's immigration policies. Trump has hinted at a possible pardon for Adams, stating during a mid-December press conference that while he was not familiar with the facts, he believed Adams was treated unfairly.
