The U.S. Justice Department has ordered federal prosecutors to drop corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, following his recent outreach to President Donald Trump, Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported Monday.
Adams, the first sitting New York mayor to be criminally indicted, had pleaded not guilty in September to fraud and bribery charges and refused to step down. The Democratic mayor previously claimed—without evidence—that he was being targeted for his criticism of President Joe Biden’s immigration policies. In recent weeks, he has increased his engagement with associates of Republican President Trump.
According to a Justice Department memo obtained by The New York Times, acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove, a former Trump attorney, instructed the acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York to dismiss the case.
“You are directed, as authorized by the Attorney General, to dismiss the pending charges in United States v. Adams,” Bove wrote, arguing that the prosecution had “improperly interfered” with Adams’ 2025 mayoral campaign.
Bove further stated that the case had hindered Adams’ ability to focus on issues such as illegal immigration and violent crime.
Corruption Allegations and Political Fallout
Once seen as a rising star in the Democratic Party, Adams came under scrutiny last year following multiple corruption investigations. Prosecutors accused him of:
– Wire fraud and soliciting illegal foreign campaign donations
–Bribery conspiracy involving Turkish officials
–Accepting luxury perks, including international flights, hotel stays, and high-end meals from Turkish associates in exchange for political favors
One of the most serious allegations involved pressuring the New York Fire Department to approve Turkey’s new high-rise consulate in Manhattan despite significant safety concerns.
The scandal cast a shadow over Adams’ re-election campaign in November. However, his legal team welcomed the decision to drop the charges.
“As I said from the outset, the mayor is innocent — and he would prevail. Today, he has,” Adams’ lawyer, Alex Spiro, said in an email to AFP.
Political Ramifications
The Justice Department’s intervention has drawn sharp criticism. The New York Civil Liberties Union condemned the move as a blatant example of the Trump administration politicizing the Justice Department.
“The mayor’s last-minute embrace of Trump and his efforts to undermine city laws protecting immigrants are alarming,” the organization said. “Eric Adams is betraying our communities.”
Adams met with Trump in January, shortly before the president’s inauguration, describing their talks as “productive” and focused on New York City’s needs. He insisted they did not discuss his legal case.
Trump has previously defended Adams, claiming he was being targeted “for speaking out against open borders.”
Meanwhile, the office of Danielle Sassoon, the acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, has not yet issued a formal response to the Justice Department’s directive.
With the legal case behind him, Adams is expected to refocus on his re-election campaign—though political fallout from the scandal, and his unexpected alliance with Trump, could reshape his standing in New York politics.
