Federal agents searched the home of New York City Mayor Eric Adams early Thursday before authorities were expected to detail charges against the Democrat.
Mr. Adams, who leads the nation’s largest city, faces increasing calls to resign after word broke overnight that he’d been indicted. The charges remain under seal.
“There is simply zero chance that the wheels of government will move forward from this full steam ahead,” said Scott Stringer, a former city comptroller running against Mr. Adams in next year’s election. “Instead, we are left with a broken down train wreck of a municipal government.”
Other election opponents, including city Comptroller Brad Lander and state Sen. Zellnor Myrie, called for him to resign.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, New York Democrat, urged Mr. Adams to resign shortly before news of the indictment broke.
Authorities have been investigating for months whether the mayor accepted foreign campaign donations from the Turkish government and if he pressured fire officials to approve a high-rise consulate despite safety worries.
The probe, however, is one of multiple investigations that have engulfed Mr. Adams and his team, leading to sudden resignations.
Mr. Adams posted a taped video saying he has done nothing wrong.
“I always knew that if I stood my ground for New Yorkers that I would be a target — and a target I became,” said Mr. Adams, 64. “I will fight these injustices with every ounce of my strength and my spirit.”
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, has the power to remove Mr. Adams but hasn’t commented on her next steps.
Mr. Adams, who took office in January 2022 on a pledge to restore public safety and revive New York’s energy, is the first city mayor to face a criminal indictment. He was charged while foreign leaders descended on the city for the U.N. General Assembly.
Federal agents arrived at Gracie Mansion, the official mayoral residence, at 6 a.m. to search the property.
If Mr. Adams were to step down, the New York City public advocate, Jumaane Williams, would serve as acting mayor and schedule a nonpartisan special election for mayor. The special election would occur within 90 days.
Mr. Williams is considered far more liberal than Mr. Adams, so his rise is appealing to groups on the political left.
“Mayor Eric Adams can no longer govern. He has lost the trust of the everyday New Yorkers he was elected to serve. Our city deserves a leader we can trust and who is not engulfed in endless scandals,” said Ana María Archila and Jasmine Gripper, the co-directors of the New York Working Families Party. “Fortunately for the people of New York, we have a Public Advocate who is ready to step in and lend stability to the city in this difficult moment.”
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.
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