FEBRUARY 14 – Federal prosecutors have formally requested a U.S. judge to dismiss bribery charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams. The request follows an order from a senior official within the Justice Department under President Donald Trump’s administration, which has sparked multiple resignations among legal officials.
U.S. District Judge Dale Ho, who is presiding over the case, must still approve the motion to dismiss the five-count indictment that was brought against Adams last September. The charges alleged that the Democratic mayor had accepted travel perks from Turkish officials and received illegal campaign contributions in exchange for taking actions beneficial to Turkey. Adams previously pleaded not guilty.
The latest motion to dismiss the case was filed by federal prosecutors in Washington, who took over the matter from their counterparts in New York. In the filing, they argued that pursuing the case would significantly hinder Adams’ ability to govern New York City effectively. They cited concerns related to public safety, national security, and the enforcement of federal immigration policies as key reasons for dropping the charges.
The motion was signed by Antoinette Bacon, a senior official in the Justice Department’s criminal division, and Edward Sullivan, a high-ranking attorney in the public integrity section. Additionally, Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove authorized the request in a separate document, stating that the decision was not a reflection on the merits of the case or the integrity of the prosecutors who initially brought the charges.
Political Considerations Behind the Decision
In an internal memo dated February 10, Bove clarified that the order to dismiss the case was not based on the strength of the evidence but rather on concerns that the indictment, which was issued during President Joe Biden’s administration, was interfering with Adams’ re-election campaign for 2025. He further claimed that the ongoing prosecution was preventing Adams from fully supporting the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement agenda.
“The continued prosecution of Mayor Adams has placed unnecessary restrictions on his ability to focus on pressing issues, including illegal immigration and violent crime,” Bove wrote in the memo. Bove, who previously served as Trump’s personal attorney before joining the administration, also asserted that political motivations played a role in the original indictment.
Since retaking office on January 20, President Trump has made immigration enforcement a key priority of his administration. He has implemented a series of policy changes aimed at tightening border security and increasing deportations. The Justice Department’s decision to intervene in Adams’ case appears to align with these broader policy shifts.
Wave of Resignations Over Justice Department’s Order
The move to dismiss the charges has led to significant upheaval within the Justice Department. Danielle Sassoon, who was recently appointed as the temporary U.S. Attorney for Manhattan by the Trump administration, resigned in protest rather than comply with the directive.
In her letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi, Sassoon expressed her firm belief that Mayor Adams was guilty of the charges against him and stated that she could not endorse a dismissal driven by political motives instead of legal grounds. Sassoon further revealed that her office had been preparing a new indictment against Adams, which would have included additional allegations related to the destruction of evidence.
Five other officials within the Justice Department also resigned in response to the directive.
Adams’ Legal Team Pushes Back
Alex Spiro, a lawyer representing Adams, dismissed the accusations of evidence tampering as baseless and politically driven. “This latest claim is nothing more than an attempt to discredit Mayor Adams after a failed prosecution,” Spiro stated.
For months, Adams has maintained that the charges against him were politically motivated. He has accused the Biden administration of targeting him unfairly due to his vocal criticism of the federal government’s handling of the migrant crisis in New York City.
During Biden’s presidency, Adams frequently called on Washington to provide more resources to help the city manage the influx of migrants. His calls for assistance were met with pushback from some Democratic leaders, leading to increased tensions between Adams and the administration.
Trump Administration’s Pattern of Reversing High-Profile Cases
The decision to drop the charges against Adams is part of a broader pattern of reversals under the Trump administration. Since resuming office, President Trump has taken steps to undo several prosecutions that were initiated during Biden’s tenure.
Earlier this week, Trump issued a full pardon to a former Illinois governor who had been convicted on corruption charges. Additionally, he has moved to grant clemency to individuals convicted in connection with the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. These actions have drawn criticism from legal experts who argue that they undermine the independence of the Justice Department.
In Adams’ case, Bove emphasized that the decision to drop the charges was not a quid pro quo arrangement in exchange for the mayor’s cooperation on immigration enforcement. However, he acknowledged that Adams’ past criticisms of federal immigration policies could not be ignored when evaluating the circumstances surrounding his prosecution.
“The timing of the indictment raises serious concerns,” Bove wrote in his memo. “It is impossible to separate this case from the broader political context in which it was brought.”
Political Implications for Adams’ Re-Election Bid
With the charges now on the verge of being dropped, Adams’ political future remains uncertain. He is seeking re-election in the upcoming June Democratic primary for the New York City mayoral race, where he faces several challengers. While the dismissal of the charges may remove a significant obstacle to his campaign, the controversy surrounding the case could still impact voter sentiment.
Despite the legal troubles, Adams has been making efforts to build stronger ties with the Trump administration. He attended Trump’s inauguration in January, fueling speculation that he was seeking a pardon or some form of legal relief.
Trump himself has expressed sympathy for Adams’ claims that he was unfairly targeted. In December, before officially taking office, Trump publicly stated that he would consider issuing a pardon for the mayor.
Federal prosecutors previously argued that Adams’ prosecution was based on a thorough investigation that began well before he started publicly criticizing the Biden administration’s immigration policies. However, the Justice Department’s decision to intervene in the case has led to widespread debate over whether political considerations played a role in the legal proceedings.
As the judge prepares to make a final decision on the motion to dismiss, the case continues to highlight the broader tensions between federal law enforcement, political influence, and the pursuit of justice in high-profile corruption cases.