NYC Governor Mulls Removing Mayor Adams as Top Aides Resign Amid DOJ Controversy

New York Governor Kathy Hochul is considering the unprecedented step of removing New York City Mayor Eric Adams from office following a tumultuous week that saw four of his top deputies resign, The Associated Press reports.

The resignations come amidst intense scrutiny over the Justice Department’s controversial decision to drop a corruption case against Adams, a move that has sparked accusations of political interference and ignited a firestorm within the city and federal government.

Governor Hochul, a Democrat, announced that she will convene a meeting of key leaders in Manhattan on Tuesday to discuss the “path forward,” citing the departures of First Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer, Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi, Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom, and Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Chauncey Parker as raising “serious questions about the long-term future” of Adams’ administration.

The controversy stems from Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove’s directive to Manhattan federal prosecutors to drop the corruption case against Mayor Adams. Bove argued that the case was hindering Adams’ ability to address pressing issues like illegal immigration and violent crime, potentially paving the way for increased cooperation with the Trump administration’s immigration policies. This decision ignited immediate backlash, with seven federal prosecutors, including the interim U.S. Attorney for Manhattan, resigning in protest.

Mayor Adams, also a Democrat, pleaded not guilty last September to charges that he accepted over $100,000 in illegal campaign contributions and lavish travel perks from foreign nationals seeking influence. While the Justice Department has stated the charges could be refiled after the November election, critics argue the move serves as leverage to ensure Adams’ compliance with the Trump administration’s objectives.

The city charter outlines a procedure for mayoral removal, requiring the governor to first serve the mayor with charges and provide an opportunity for defense. However, Governor Hochul acknowledged that the removal power has never been used against a sitting mayor in New York’s history, leaving a lack of precedent and clear guidelines.

Mayor Adams acknowledged the resignations.

“I am disappointed to see them go, but given the current challenges, I understand their decision and wish them nothing but success in the future. But let me be crystal clear: New York City will keep moving forward, just as it does every day.”

In a joint memo to staff, Torres-Springer, Joshi, and Williams-Isom attributed their departures to the “extraordinary events of the last few weeks” and the need to “stay faithful to the oaths we swore to New Yorkers and our families.”

The decision to drop the case has also drawn sharp criticism from fellow Democrats. City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams (no relation to the mayor) joined the chorus calling for Adams’ resignation, stating that he “has now lost the confidence and trust of his own staff, his colleagues in government, and New Yorkers.” Prominent figures like Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Nydia Velázquez, and Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado have also urged Adams to step down.

The unfolding drama coincides with increased cooperation between Mayor Adams and the Trump administration on immigration matters. The mayor recently met with Trump’s border czar and announced the reestablishment of an immigration authorities office at Rikers Island, raising further questions about his independence and priorities.