Gov. Hochul meets with key leaders about NYC Mayor Eric Adams’ future

• New York Gov. Kathy Hochul met with key leaders on Tuesday to discuss New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ fate. Four deputy mayors from the Adams administration confirmed their resignations Monday.
• The meetings come amid fallout after the Department of Justice ordered federal prosecutors to drop the corruption case against Adams.
• Adams has vowed to stay in his position as mayor.

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New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, met with key leaders Tuesday, Feb. 18, to discuss potentially removing New York City Mayor Eric Adams from office. Hochul called on political figures, including the Rev. Al Sharpton, City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams and City Comptroller Brad Lander, for a series of one-on-one meetings at her Manhattan offices throughout the day.

The meetings come as Hochul receives increasing pressure from fellow Democrats to oust Adams. He faces multiple scandals, including an alleged quid pro quo with the Justice Department to drop criminal charges against him in exchange for Adams helping the Trump administration’s immigration policies.

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What is the history of controversies surrounding Adams?

In September 2024, Adams was indicted on five federal counts of bribery, corruption, wire fraud and soliciting and accepting donations from foreign nationals.

Adams pleaded not guilty and has denied any wrongdoing.

Four of Adams’ deputies resigned Monday, Feb. 17, over what they believed to be Adams’ personal interests risking the interests of New Yorkers.

What did Rev. Al Sharpton say about his meeting with Gov. Hochul?

Sharpton posted a photo to X of his meeting with Hochul. He told The City, a local news outlet, afterward that Hochul planned to wait for a federal judge’s decision on Wednesday, Feb. 19, after prosecutors make arguments before the judge for why Adams’ corruption charges should be dropped.

I’m meeting privately with Governor Kathy Hochul about the state of affairs in New York. pic.twitter.com/pUjQAwNTfO

— Reverend Al Sharpton (@TheRevAl) February 18, 2025

Sharpton added that Hochul also planned to keep deliberating with other leaders.

Hochul has not commented on her meetings Tuesday.

What has Gov. Hochul said about deciding Adams’ fate?

In a statement on Monday, she said since the outgoing deputies felt they couldn’t serve the city right now, it raises “serious questions” about the long-term future of the mayoral administration.

“In the 235 years of New York state history, these powers have never been utilized to remove a duly-elected mayor; overturning the will of the voters is a serious step that should not be taken lightly,” Hochul said.

Adams vowed to stay on in his position as recently as Sunday, Feb. 15, during a church sermon.

“I’m not going to step down, I’m going to step up,” Adams said.

Through all the negative headlines, rumors and criticism, I have remained clear: I’m not stepping down, I’m stepping UP.

No matter what you read, no matter what you see — they may want to fight me, but I’m always fighting for YOU. pic.twitter.com/8dEeprlxuE

— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) February 16, 2025

What happens next?

If Hochul were to remove Adams, The Associated Press reported that the city’s charter has a court-like process. That means the governor must first serve the mayor with a copy of charges she feels warrant his removal, then provide him with “an opportunity to be heard in his defense.”