The Justice Department has ordered federal prosecutors to drop corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, citing concerns that the case was interfering with his role in aiding the Trump administration’s crackdown on illegal immigration. Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove issued a two-page memo directing prosecutors to dismiss the bribery charges immediately, emphasizing that the decision was not based on the strength of the evidence but on the timing of the prosecution, which was close to Adams’ re-election campaign.
Adams was charged in September with accepting illegal campaign contributions and lavish travel perks from foreign nationals in exchange for political favors. Prosecutors alleged he received benefits worth over $100,000, including luxury travel and hotel stays, while serving as Brooklyn Borough President. They also accused him of directing campaign staffers to disguise foreign donations to qualify for a publicly funded matching program. Additionally, Adams was accused of lobbying the New York Fire Department to expedite approvals for a Turkish diplomatic building at the request of a foreign official.
Despite prosecutors stating as recently as January that their investigation was ongoing, the Justice Department’s order temporarily halts any further investigative steps against Adams until after the November mayoral election. However, the memo leaves open the possibility of refiling charges following a review.
Adams’ attorney, Alex Spiro, called the dismissal a vindication of the mayor’s innocence, allowing the city to move forward. Meanwhile, critics argue that Adams has shifted politically since his indictment, aligning himself more closely with Trump’s policies, including reversing his stance on New York’s sanctuary city protections.
Trump previously suggested Adams was unfairly targeted and hinted at a possible pardon. Following a meeting with Trump in January, Adams implied Trump’s policies would benefit New York more than Biden’s, further fueling speculation about political motivations behind the case’s dismissal.
The case against Adams was initially led by former U.S. Attorney Damien Williams before Trump took office. Federal agents had also been investigating other senior officials in Adams’ administration, including his chief adviser, Ingrid Lewis-Martin, who was indicted in December for accepting bribes related to real estate projects.
