Federal Prosecutors Told to Drop Case Against Adams
The U.S. Justice Department has ordered federal prosecutors in Manhattan to withdraw corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, citing concerns that the case was interfering with his re-election campaign and his ability to support federal immigration policy.
In a memo obtained by Reuters, Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove stated that the decision was not based on the merits of the case and did not reflect any doubts about the integrity of the prosecutors who brought it. Instead, Bove, a political appointee and former personal lawyer to President Donald Trump, argued that the September 2024 indictment was distracting Adams from addressing illegal immigration and violent crime—two major priorities for the Trump administration.
“The pending prosecution has unduly restricted Mayor Adams’ ability to devote full attention and resources to… illegal immigration and violent crime,” Bove wrote in the memo.
Indictment Stemmed from Alleged Ties to Turkey
Adams, 64, was indicted last September by federal prosecutors under former President Joe Biden’s administration on five counts, including accusations that he accepted travel perks from Turkish officials and received illegal foreign political donations in exchange for favorable treatment. The mayor pleaded not guilty and has consistently maintained that he was unfairly targeted due to his public criticism of Biden’s handling of the migrant crisis in New York City.
Bove’s memo denied that dropping the charges was part of a deal for Adams’ cooperation on immigration enforcement. However, it did acknowledge that the timing of the indictment raised political concerns. “It cannot be ignored that Mayor Adams criticized the prior Administration’s immigration policies before the charges were filed,” Bove wrote.
Adams’ defense attorney, Alex Spiro, welcomed the directive. “As I said from the outset, the mayor is innocent—and he would prevail. Today he has,” Spiro said in a statement.
Adams’ Relationship with Trump Sparks Speculation
Adams, a Democrat and former police captain, initially positioned himself as an ally of Biden when he took office in 2022. However, tensions between the two grew as Adams repeatedly called on Washington to increase funding to help New York City cope with a surge of migrants.
More recently, Adams has sought to forge closer ties with Trump, attending his inauguration on January 20 and fueling speculation that he was seeking a pardon. Trump, who himself has pleaded not guilty to multiple criminal indictments he claims are politically motivated, has expressed sympathy for Adams’ allegations that he was unfairly prosecuted.
In December, before taking office, Trump publicly stated that he would consider pardoning the New York City mayor.
Critics Decry Political Interference in Justice Department
The Justice Department’s move has sparked backlash from legal experts and political observers who say it undermines the independence of federal prosecutors. The Southern District of New York (SDNY) has traditionally been known for its fierce autonomy and reluctance to bow to political influence.
Michael Weinstein, a former federal prosecutor not involved in the case, criticized the directive, calling it a troubling precedent.
“Sadly, this is another example of the convulsions occurring within the DOJ and FBI and the politicized nature of current decision-making,” Weinstein said.
While the charges against Adams may be dropped for now, they could be refiled in the future. Bove’s memo suggested that prosecutors should only dismiss the case if Adams agrees to the possibility of it being reopened later. Trump’s nominee to lead the Manhattan U.S. Attorney’s Office, Jay Clayton, will have the authority to revisit the case after his Senate confirmation and following the November 2025 mayoral election.
Impact on Adams’ Re-Election Bid
Even if the charges are officially dropped, the case may have already done significant political damage to Adams as he seeks re-election. His trial was initially scheduled for April 21, just weeks before the Democratic primary in June. With several challengers emerging, the allegations could weaken his standing within his own party, despite the Justice Department’s intervention.
The mayoral primary winner is likely to win the November general election in the left-leaning city, but Adams’ political future remains uncertain as the fallout from the case continues to unfold.
