New York City Mayor Eric Adams, 64, is facing federal criminal charges, marking an unprecedented moment in the city’s history. the charges stem from multiple federal corruption investigations involving Adams and several of his top officials.
The indictment, which remains sealed, makes Adams the first sitting mayor of New York City to face federal charges. In a video statement released late Wednesday, Adams declared his innocence and vowed to fight the charges, while also pledging to stay in office.
“I will fight these injustices with every ounce of my strength and my spirit,” Adams said in the video. He added, “I am innocent” and expressed his intention to request an immediate trial, allowing New Yorkers to hear the truth directly. The mayor also addressed the increasing calls for his resignation, emphasizing that he can continue to manage the city while defending himself in court.
“If I am charged, many may say I should resign because I cannot manage the city while fighting the case,” Adams stated. “But I have been facing these lies for months, and I remain committed to leading New York.”
Federal prosecutors are expected to unseal the indictment on Thursday, at which point Adams will make his initial court appearance. The charges come on the heels of a federal raid last year, during which agents seized Adams’ electronic devices and searched the home of his chief fundraiser, Brianna Suggs.
Reports from The New York Times indicate that federal investigators are probing whether Adams’ 2021 mayoral campaign conspired with foreign governments—including Turkey, Israel, China, Qatar, South Korea, and Uzbekistan—to funnel illegal donations into his campaign. The investigations have widened in scope, with prosecutors recently subpoenaing campaign and mayoral office records related to these countries.
Adams’ indictment adds to the growing pressure for his resignation. On Wednesday, U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez joined the chorus of voices calling for Adams to step down. “I do not see how Mayor Adams can continue governing New York City,” Ocasio-Cortez wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “For the good of the city, he should resign.”
Ocasio-Cortez cited the “flood of resignations and vacancies” among Adams’ top officials as a key reason why his ability to govern has been compromised. Over the past few weeks, several senior figures in the Adams administration, including the police commissioner and city’s top lawyer, have stepped down amidst the ongoing investigations.
As the federal indictment looms, the future of New York City’s leadership remains uncertain, and the next steps for Mayor Adams will likely be determined in the coming days.
