Rep. Jerrold Nadler called on fellow New York Democrat Eric Adams to step down, saying the mayor can’t do the job right while battling an indictment alleging he solicited foreign campaign donations in exchange for official favors.
Mr. Nadler, whose district covers a wide swath of Manhattan, said all defendants are entitled to due process and presumed innocent until proven guilty.
“However, there are questions of whether the mayor can continue to effectively lead our city as mayor at this time,” said Mr. Nadler, who has served in the House over three decades. “My belief is that the mayor has lost the ability to effectively lead the city of New York, and therefore he must resign.”
Federal prosecutors say Mr. Adams illegally courted foreign donors, particularly from Turkey, and received undisclosed benefits such as upgraded flights and luxury stays in overseas locales.
The indictment says that in return, Mr. Adams extended favors such as muscling fire officials to approve a Turkish high-rise consulate despite safety concerns.
The mayor is set to be arraigned in federal court Friday on bribery and wire fraud charges.
He says he did nothing wrong and pleaded with New Yorkers to hear his defense before passing judgment.
Some lawmakers, including Mr. Nadler and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, also a New York Democrat, aren’t waiting and say he must step down.
Yet another Democrat, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, has the power to suspend and remove Mr. Adams after a public process that lets the mayor defend himself.
Ms. Hochul hasn’t said if she will exercise that power but said she is looking at the situation closely.
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.
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