Mayor Eric Adams held an off-topic press briefing at City Hall for just the second time in five weeks on Monday, marking the first time that he has been available for questions in an open format since a federal indictment against him on corruption charges was dropped two weeks ago. The vindication for Adams is only partial, as the case was dropped “without prejudice,” meaning that the DOJ could bring it back at any time, and a federal prosecutor who resigned in protest of the move claimed to have witnessed the mayor’s lawyers working out a quid pro quo deal with authorities: drop the case, and Adams will go along with Trump’s mass deportation policy. In Monday’s briefing, Adams indicated that concerns over a conflict of interest are indeed affecting how he addresses immigration policy at the city level.
Asked whether he would recuse himself on matters related to immigration, the mayor left the door open to the possibility. “Our team is looking at every way possible to make sure we are in compliance and those discussions are still going on,” the mayor said. “Those discussions I’m having with our legal team but I’m not going to go into those private discussions. That’s why it’s attorney-client privilege.” Pressed further on the nature of these discussions, the mayor only said that “the team are looking at everything we can to continue to work for the city,” again stating that attorney-client privilege kept him from speaking on it further.
The mayor’s proximity to the Trump administration on immigration and the New York’s status as a sanctuary city remain at odds. In Monday’s briefing, Adams stated that New York “is a sanctuary city, that is what the law requires, so [migrants] should believe that is the case.” A short while later, however, Adams confirmed that the city’s corporation counsel is conducting a review of those city laws and could recommend changing them.
Adams also kept up his kind words for Trump’s so-called “border czar” Tom Homan, amid questions about an TV interview where they appeared together, with Homan saying he would be “up [Adams’] butt” about certain policies where he expected action. “He and I were ribbing each other, joking with each other,” before going on air, the mayor said, downplaying any perceived friction between them.
On the other hand, Adams did reaffirm that the city’s corporation counsel will be filing suit over funds clawed back from city accounts by the Trump administration that were intended for migrant services. “I believe we deserve that eighty million dollars,” the mayor said.
