The indicted mayor of New York City, Eric Adams, will meet today at Mar-a-Lago with President-elect Donald Trump. Many believe the visit will also focus on a potential presidential pardon.
Fabien Levy, spokesperson for the mayor, stated in regards to this, “Mayor Adams has made quite clear his willingness to work with President-elect Trump and his incoming administration on behalf of New Yorkers – and that partnership with the federal government is critical to New York City’s success.”
He later added, “The mayor looks forward to having a productive conversation with the incoming president on how we can move our city and country forward.”
The notice of Adams’ trip to Mar-a-Lago raised criticism, especially from his opponents in the upcoming Democratic primary.
Brad Lander, the New York City comptroller, touted, “Eric Adams should state immediately that he will not seek or accept a pardon from Donald Trump.”
“New Yorkers deserve to know that their mayor is putting their interests ahead of his own,” he then concluded.
State Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, a candidate in the Democratic primary, also called the trip “a pathetic and embarrassing attempt by a discredited mayor to avoid federal prison, nothing more.”
Last September, Adams was indicted on federal charges of bribery, fraud and campaign finance law violations, effectively becoming the first New York mayor in history to face an indictment while in office.
The DOJ also accused Adams of favoring the Turkish government in exchange for illegal campaign funds and paid trips. Mayor Adams later pleaded not guilty and denied the charges against him. Following the indictment, Trump said he would consider granting Adams a presidential pardon. “Yes, I would,” Trump said during a press conference in December, in response to a question about a possible pardon for Adams. “I think he’s been treated rather unfairly.”
