Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY) will not remove New York City Mayor Eric Adams after his alleged quid-pro-quo with the Trump administration, she announced on Thursday, but she will enforce oversight measures over him.
The governor said she would propose three actions targeting Adams, aiming to reduce his power and keep checks on him.
“I’m undertaking the implementation of certain guardrails that I believe are a first start in reestablishing trust for New York City residents and ensure that all decisions out of City Hall are in the clear interests of the people of this city, and not at the behest of the president,” she said.
The governor is proposing legislation for a new “Special Inspector General for New York City affairs” within the state’s Inspector General’s Office. This new official, if the legislation is passed, would be able to direct the city’s Department of Investigations. Adams would only be able to remove the department’s commissioner with the approval of the state’s inspector general.
The second move Hochul is proposing gives the city’s comptroller, public advocate, and the City Council speaker the power to advance litigation against the federal government. Such a move would enable critics of Adams, such as Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, the power to combat the Trump administration where Adams might not.
Hochul’s final action would give the deputy state comptroller more funding.
New York’s governor said the actions would be “subject to renewal,” suggesting they could only be in place for 2025, while Adams is mayor.
Near the end of her initial statement, Hochul said she will retain her power to remove Adams. When pressed further, she reiterated that she won’t remove Adams “at this time” but will keep her power to do so.
Hochul directed her ire at President Donald Trump throughout the presser, indicating she believes he’s on a revenge tour due to the felony charges levied against him in a Manhattan court. She reiterated that she believes they will punish Adams with reinstated corruption charges if he doesn’t follow through on enacting immigration changes the Trump administration wants.
“New York is facing a grave threat from Washington. The Trump administration is already trying to use the legal jeopardy facing our mayor as leverage to squeeze and punish our city,” she said.
Hochul acknowledged that the measures are “extraordinary.” She met with officials this past week to determine whether she should remove Adams for his collaboration with the Trump administration and due to his corruption charges, which haven’t been dropped yet.
BEHIND THE BOMBSHELL END OF THE CRIMINAL CASE AGAINST ERIC ADAMS
In order for the safeguards to go through, they must still pass several legislative bodies in the state, and Hochul anticipates that it will take some time.
Meanwhile, Adams faces a June Democratic primary in the New York City mayoral race. Hochul suggested she would let the voters decide what to do with him.
