New York City Mayor Eric Adams became the first sitting mayor in the city’s history to be indicted, sending the Big Apple into a period of uncertainty.
Despite growing calls to resign, calls sure to increase, Adams has insisted he will not resign. The New York City charter doesn’t allow voters to remove Adams prematurely, and an indictment doesn’t require him to resign. The one avenue to removing him lies in the hands of Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY).
Hochul first acknowledged the indictment in a vague statement on Thursday morning.
“Gov. Hochul is aware of these concerning news reports and is monitoring the situation,” Hochul press secretary Avi Small told NBC New York. “It would be premature to comment further until the matter is confirmed by law enforcement.”
Under the city charter, Hochul has the authority to remove Adams for up to 30 days and then remove him “after service upon him of a copy of the charges and an opportunity to be heard in his defense,” the New York Times reported.
ERIC ADAMS INDICTED ON FEDERAL CRIMINAL CHARGES
This power has not been used in New York City’s history. The closest parallel was in 1931, when then-Gov. Franklin D. Roosevelt held 14 days of hearings regarding the alleged corruption of Mayor Jimmy Walker, which pushed him to resign before further action could be taken.
James McGuire, who was counsel to former Gov. George Pataki, said the most likely course to remove Adams would be “to use the removal power as a club to force resignations.”
“When the Constitution, statutes, and City Charter are read together, the governor has broad latitude in deciding what actions or failures to act would justify removing a mayor from office,” he said, adding that though some charges are required, courts haven’t decided how specific they must be.
However, a source speaking with the New York Post cast doubt on the matter, as Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, a progressive Democrat, would replace Adams until a special election was held for the next mayor.
An early special election would be sure to draw a slew of candidates in addition to those already declared for the 2025 race.
Two leading candidates, City Comptroller Brad Lander and state Sen. Zellnor Myrie, were among the first to call on Adams to resign after the revelation of his indictment. Former City Comptroller Scott Stringer also called on the mayor to resign, though he is only “exploring” a mayoral bid after a failed attempt in 2021, the New York Post reported.
Recently announced mayoral candidate Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, a socialist, called on Adams to resign.
Though he remained silent, a dark horse candidate to replace Adams is former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who is eyeing a comeback after resigning in disgrace three years ago over sexual assault allegations.
However, despite the sharks circling, Adams has insisted there is no chance he will resign.
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“I will fight these injustices with every ounce of my strength and my spirit. If I’m charged, I know I am innocent. I will request intermediate trials so the New Yorkers can hear the truth,” he said in a video statement on Wednesday night.
“Now, if I am charged, many may say I should resign because I cannot manage the city while fighting the case,” Adams continued. “I can also understand everyday New Yorkers would be concerned that I cannot do my job while I face accusation. But I have been facing these lies for months since I began to speak out for all of you and their investigation started, yet the city has continued to improve. Make no mistake, you elected me to lead this city, and lead it I will.”
