New York leaders react to indictment of Mayor Eric Adams

If she deems it necessary, Gov. Kathy Hochul can remove Mayor Eric Adams from office. She released an updated statement on Thursday night.

"This is an extraordinarily difficult day for New York City. I have carefully reviewed the indictment released by the United States Department of Justice. This indictment is the latest in a disturbing pattern of events that has, understandably, contributed to a sense of unease among many New Yorkers," Hochul said. "Our judicial system is based on the foundational principle that all of us are presumed innocent until proven otherwise. Yet those of us who have chosen a career in elected office know that we're held to a higher standard. Given the responsibilities we hold as public servants, that's entirely appropriate.

"New Yorkers deserve to know that their municipal government is working effectively, ethically and in the best interests of the people -- driving down crime, educating our kids and ensuring basic city services continue unabated. It's now up to Mayor Adams to show the City that he is able to lead in that manner.

"My focus is on protecting the people of New York and ensuring stability in the City. While I review my options and obligations as the governor of New York, I expect the mayor to take the next few days to review the situation and find an appropriate path forward to ensure the people of New York City are being well-served by their leaders. We must give New Yorkers confidence that there is steady, responsible leadership at every level of government," Hochul added.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who hails from Crown Heights, Brooklyn, released a statement, saying, "A jury of the mayor's peers will now evaluate the charges in the indictment and ultimately render a determination. In the meantime, I pray for the well-being of our great city."

"I ask the mayor to seriously and honestly consider whether full attention can be given to our deserving New Yorkers," City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams said. "Anyone accused of a crime deserves due process, the presumption of innocence and the ability to defend themselves. The people of our city must be the priority of government." 

Gov. Kathy Hochul, who has the power to remove Adams from office, spoke out Thursday. 

"This is a very serious matter that is unfolding. As the governor of the state of New York I have a unique responsibility here to make sure I do right by all people in this great state. And I also represent 8.3 million New Yorkers. When they elected me to be their governor, I became the governor of this entire state, including all the residents of New York City. And I want them to know this. I will be deliberative, I will be thoughtful, but we're going to come to the right resolution on what to do in this moment," Hochul said. 

Mayor Eric Adams will appear in court Friday at noon to face the charges.

Mayor Eric Adams' attorney Alex Spiro spoke with reporters outside Gracie Mansion after reviewing the indictment. 

Spiro called the seat improvements on flights and hotel rooms "upgrades," and said airlines and hotels routinely do that for VIPs. 

 "There's no corruption. This is not a real case," Spiro said. 

Mayor Eric Adams posted on social media Thursday afternoon. 

"Let me be clear, I know I've done nothing wrong, and I am committed to continuing to fight on behalf of New Yorkers as your mayor," Adams wrote. "From here, my attorneys will take care of the case so I can take care of this city."

"The indictment of Mayor Eric Adams on charges including bribery, fraud, and soliciting illegal foreign campaign donations is significant and deeply troubling. New Yorkers deserve to have full confidence in their elected officials and their ability to govern. These investigations have become an untenable distraction from our government's work to improve the lives of New Yorkers. For the good of our city, I call on Mayor Adams to resign," Assemblymember Grace Lee said. 

"No one is above the law, including the Mayor of New York City. The charges are serious, and the legal process should now play out speedily and fairly," Sen. Charles Schumer said. 

"This is the culmination of the cult of corruption rampant in the New York Democrat Party - from the former disgraced Governor Cuomo and his sycophant henchmen to the Communist Chinese who have infiltrated Kathy Hochul, the least popular NY Governor in history, to now Eric Adams," Rep. Elise Stefanik said. "Of course, Eric Adams should resign. New York Democrats will pay the price for this corruption and incompetence in November and Republicans will sweep this November."

In a slide prepared by the U.S. Attorney's Office, Mayor Eric Adams' alleged undisclosed travel benefits were outlined. 

"Any indictment is a matter to be taken seriously, and this is a solemn day for New York City. In our country, a person is innocent until proven otherwise, and we must allow due process and for the legal system to proceed and run its proper course without interference," Rep. Adriano Espaillat said. 

New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams released the following statement regarding Adams' indictment. 

It is worth noting that, according to the City Charter, the public advocate is the next in New York City's line of succession if the mayor were to leave office. 

"I feel the same disbelief and indignation that I know many New Yorkers feel, upset that this is where our city is in this moment. This is a painful time, and the looming unknowns and uncertainties only add to the confusion and chaos at City Hall in an untenable situation. Justice presumes innocence until proven guilty, at the same time, these charges are even more sweeping and severe than imagined. In the face of this evidence, it is not enough to deflect blame and deny responsibility," Williams said. "It is federal officials' obligation to prove their case, and it is the mayor's obligation to prove to New Yorkers that there is a real plan and path to govern the city effectively and regain trust, and his time to show that plan is rapidly running out."  

"As the Public Advocate, my role is to fight for the transparency, accountability, and governance that New Yorkers deserve. In a moment of intense turmoil, I am committed to working with my fellow elected officials and the many thousands of incredibly dedicated public servants to ensure our city continues to operate in any eventuality," he added.

"The accusations made against Mayor Eric Adams are serious, substantial, and pervasive. He's going to need to put every ounce of his being into protecting himself from these charges at a time when every ounce of his being should be going to the protection of the people of New York City," Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso said. "The mayor cannot lead this city, nor can he in good faith ask the public to put their trust in him. I ask the Mayor to put New Yorkers first and resign."

Before Adams was elected mayor, he was Brooklyn's borough president. Reynoso won the post after Adams left to become Mayor. 

"Governor Kathy Hochul has the power and obligation to remove New York City Mayor Eric Adams from office, following the near complete collapse of his administration under growing FBI probes," New York State Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar today said. "With the city reeling from crime, the migrant crisis, and high-level government corruption, Governor Hochul has a responsibility to act. She should immediately begin the process of removing Mr. Adams from office so that a new election can be held. The current situation is both  unworkable and intolerable."

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said prosecutors were charging Adams with campaign finance, bribery and conspiracy. 

"As the indictment alleges, Mayor Adams engaged in a long-running conspiracy in which he solicited and knowingly accepted illegal campaign contributions from foreign donors and corporations. As we allege, Mayor Adams took these contributions, even though he knew they were illegal, and even though he knew these contributions were attempts by a Turkish governmental official and Turkish businessmen to buy influence with him," Williams said. 

Williams said Adams "sought and accepted" more than $100,000 in luxury travel benefits, including free international business class flights and "opulent hotel rooms" abroad, starting in 2016 and continuing in a similar pattern in the years that followed. 

"These upgrades and freebies were not part of some frequent flyer or loyalty program available to the general public. As we allege, this is a multi-year scheme to buy favor with a New York City politician on the rise: Eric Adams," Williams said. 

Williams says Adams didn't disclose those gifts, even though he received them for years.

"And in exchange for some of those improper benefits, he intervened in the New York City Fire Department's inspection process for a building owned and operated by the Turkish government, allowing it to open even though it had not passed a fire inspection," Williams said. 

Williams said Adams had been gathering illegal contributions since 2018. 

"Federal law clearly prohibits foreign donations. That's how we protect our elections from foreign influence. Yet Adams directed his staff to pursue this illegal money to support his campaign for mayor," Williams said. 

Williams said Adams again sought contributions illegally in 2023. 

"The conduct alleged in the indictment - the foreign money, the corporate money, the bribery, the years of concealment - is a grave breach of the public trust," Williams said. "Public office is a privilege. We allege that Mayor Adams abused that privilege and broke the law. Laws that are designed to ensure that officials like him serve the people, not the highest bidder, not a foreign bidder, and certainly not a foreign power. These are bright red lines, and we allege that the mayor crossed them again and again for years. That is the only reason we are here today." 

Williams says the investigation is still continuing. 

"We continue to dig, and we will hold more people accountable," Williams said. 

"Mayor Adams indictment may be a chance to resurrect our constitutional rights and values. I don't know if Mayor Adams did, or did not do, the things alleged in the indictment and other leaks. I know in a similar situation Mayor Edward I. Koch was entirely innocent of the charges I proved in a federal court against some of his closest political allies. Mayor Adams, like me and you, is entitled  to the presumption of innocence. You can have your own opinion about this case, of course, but reserve final judgment until it is fully litigated in a court of law," former Mayor Rudy Giuliani said. 

Giuliani is facing numerous legal challenges of his own. 

Spectators at Adams' news conference repeatedly shouted and interrupted the speakers, calling for Adams to resign. 

"You're an embarrassment," one yelled, as speakers in support of Adams asked New Yorkers to allow due process to move forward. 

"Until the verdict is announced, we stand," one speaker said. "We are not people with a yellow strip down our backs, and neither are we intimidated by loud voices. Whatever the truth is, the truth will prevail." 

Mayor Eric Adams held a news conference at Gracie Mansion shortly after the indictment was unsealed. He was joined by supporters. 

"We are not surprised. We expected this. This is not surprising to us at all. The actions that have unfolded over the last 10 months, the leaks, the commentary, the demonizing. This did not surprise us that we reached this day. And I ask New Yorkers to wait to hear our defense before making any judgments," Adams said.

Adams said prosecutors will lay out a "story" and he asked New Yorkers "to wait and hear our side to this narrative." 

"My day to day will not change. I will continue to do the job for 8.3 million New Yorkers that I was elected to do," Adams said. "And the 300,000+ employees of our city government will continue to do their jobs, because this is what we do as New Yorkers." 

"It's an unfortunate day, and it's a painful day. But inside of all of that it's a day when we will finally reveal why, for 10 months, I have gone through this, and I look forward to defending myself and defending the people of this city, as I have done my entire professional career," he added. 

Here's a closer look at the specific charges and the indictment against Adams. 

New York City Councilmember Shekar Krishnan joined the chorus of those calling for Adams to resign. 

"City Hall is in free fall. Over the span of just a few months, we have seen the resignations of the Fire Commissioner, the Police Commissioner, and this week, the Health Commissioner and Schools Chancellor. 

"Tonight, the Mayor of New York City was indicted by the U.S. Department of Justice.

"New Yorkers deserve better than the chaos and corruption they are seeing in our city government. Our children, our families, our neighbors deserve better.

"Mayor Adams has already proven himself unfit and unable to lead from City Hall. He will absolutely be unable to lead from inside a courtroom. He must resign."

The Southern District of New York is expected to discuss the charges in an 11:30 a.m. news conference. We'll have live coverage on CBS News New York.

A spokesperson for New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, who has the power to force Adams from office, said the governor is aware of the reports and is monitoring the situation. 

"It would be premature to comment further until the matter is confirmed by law enforcement," her spokesperson said Wednesday night. 

Former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio addressed the latest developments in an interview with CNN on Wednesday night. He said his initial reaction was "shock and concern for our city," adding, "then another very strong reminder that innocent until proven guilty is the American way."

"I do think we have to be really careful here. We haven't seen anything specific, we don't know what this is yet, we haven't heard a defense," de Blasio said. "If he truly believes he's innocent, he has a right to stand up and say that and keep his job. But he does owe it to New Yorkers to explain how he's going to navigate that reality and provide the leadership we need."

The New York City Democratic Socialists of America joined the chorus of statements calling for Adams to step down. 

"New Yorkers deserve better. Eric Adams must resign," they said in a statement.

"Tonight's unprecedented indictment of Eric Adams indictment is the logical conclusion of a mayoralty that has treated New York City as a playground for millionaires and billionaires at the expense of everyone else. 

"Under Eric Adams, New Yorkers have seen a federal investigation into his top aide, the indictment of two top FDNY chiefs; the resignations of the Police Commissioner, Health Commissioner, Schools Chancellor, and Corporate Counsel; and too many other scandals to list. 

"Adams is not only staggeringly corrupt—his policies have been a disaster for working-class New Yorkers. He raised the rent on one million rent-stabilized tenants and cut funding for schools, libraries, and parks. He wasted millions of dollars on no-bid city contracts to hotel owners and for-profit service providers while laying the blame for his vicious budget cuts on asylum seekers. The result? Our city is hemorrhaging working-class families of color, who can no longer afford to live in the city that they helped build.

"It's time to turn the page. We have the opportunity to build a New York City that works for everyone—where every worker is treated with dignity; where every neighborhood has clean air and thriving public spaces; where every person, from lifelong residents to recent arrivals, has access to safe and affordable housing; and where every student has quality public education from 3-K to CUNY.

"New Yorkers need a Mayor who will fight for robust social services and truly safe communities—not corporate interests and foreign governments. Eric Adams and his austerity agenda have failed us. The people deserve a city of abundance."

New York State Assemblymember Karines Reyes shared her reaction, saying, "I am deeply troubled to learn of the indictment of NYC Mayor Eric Adams. This moment in our city's history is truly unprecedented and without parallel."

"While the details of the indictment are still unknown, we are only left to assume the worst, given the numerous investigations that have been revealed in recent weeks and months. These inquiries into the Mayor's administration, his appointees and surrounding individuals have led to indictments and several resignations, and exposed a pattern of questionable and unethical behavior, in the name of our great city, all for personal profit," her statement continued.

"While our legal system is predicated on the presumption of innocence, I believe that it is in the best interest of all New Yorkers for Mayor Adams to resign from office.

"It is impossible for the Mayor to remain focused on the city's business, while he and his top aides are forced to defend themselves in the court of law. The people deserve to trust their leaders and recognize integrity in their work - It is clear that in the court of public opinion, the mayor has lost that trust. 

"Now, he has the opportunity to end the long nightmare that our city has had to endure."

New York State Senator Zellnor Myrie - who is running for mayor himself - called it " a sad day for the city, and especially painful for so many Black New Yorkers who put our hope and faith in this Mayor."

"We live in the greatest city in the world - and the Mayor must be fully focused on delivering for the millions who call it home. Many like my parents come here in search of opportunity; others like myself are born and raised by this vibrant city. Each New Yorker deserves a Mayor who is dedicated to serving our communities, and who upholds the dignity and integrity this office requires," he posted on social media. "We need a leader who is fully focused, without distraction, on the enormous challenges we face - from housing affordability to public safety. A mayor under the weight of a serious indictment can no longer do that - and today I am calling on him to resign."

New York City Councilmember Lincoln Restler, who represents District 33 in Brooklyn, posted on social media, saying, "the mayor must resign."

"No Mayor can serve our city under criminal indictment. The only responsible course for New York City is for Mayor Eric Adams to step down," his post continued. "If he refuses, he must be removed from office as prescribed by the charter. New Yorkers deserve so much better."

State Senator John Liu said while Adams remains "innocent until proven guilty" and "entitled to due his due process," he added, "it will take all of his might to defend himself against these federal charges."

"The people of New York City, however, need a mayor who is able to devote full time and full energy to putting the city on the right track, including recruitment and retention of top leadership for the City. Mayor Adams is simply unable to do that for the foreseeable future and therefore, for the good of all New Yorkers, must resign immediately," Liu's statement read.

New York City Councilmember Robert Holden, who represents District 30 in Queens, released a statement, reading in part, "While he is presumed innocent until proven guilty, there is no way he can effectively lead with this cloud hanging over him."

"It's a sad day for New York City when a sitting mayor is indicted on federal charges. While he is presumed innocent until proven guilty, there is no way he can effectively lead with this cloud hanging over him. With the challenges our city faces, he must step down for the good of New Yorkers," the full statement read.

"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," Ana María Archila and Jasmine Gripper, co-directors of the New York Working Families Party said in a statement.

"The City Charter mandates that if the Mayor resigns, the Public Advocate becomes the interim Mayor. 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."

State Senator Gustavo Rivera of the Bronx says Adams "cannot continue to govern." 

"We have crossed a threshold — the mayor cannot continue to govern. Eric Adams must resign. I'm confident that Jumaane Williams is ready to fulfill his duties and address a gap in trustworthy leadership. I wish him good health as he must undoubtedly be preparing for a necessary transition."

As soon as the news came down on Wednesday night, many elected officials started calling for Mayor Eric Adams to resign, including City Comptroller Brad Lander, who recently announced he would run for mayor in 2025.

"First and foremost, this is a sad day for New Yorkers. Trust in public institutions -- especially City Hall -- is essential for our local democracy to function and for our city to flourish. The hardworking people of New York City deserve a city government and leadership they can trust. Right now, they don't have it," Lander said. "Mayor Adams, like all New Yorkers, deserves due process, the presumption of innocence, and his day in court. However, it is clear that defending himself against serious federal charges will require a significant amount of the time and attention needed to govern this great city.

"The most appropriate path forward is for him to step down so that New York City can get the full focus its leadership demands," Lander added.

While Adams has remained defiant and said he has no plans to resign, here's what would happen if he stepped down or was otherwise removed from office. 

Mayor Eric Adams is responding to reports of his indictment. Here's his full statement, via his attorney Alex Spiro:

My fellow New Yorkers.

It is now my belief that the federal government intends to charge me with crimes.

If so, these charges would be entirely false, based on lies.

But they would not be surprising. I always knew that If I stood my ground for all of you that I would be a target—and a target I became.

For months, leaks and rumors have been aimed at me in an attempt to undermine my credibility and paint me as guilty.

Just this past week they searched the home of our new police commissioner, looking for documents from 20 years ago—but just one week after he joined my administration.

Enough. I will fight these injustices with every ounce of my strength, and my spirit.

If I am charged, I know I am innocent. I will request an immediate trial so that New Yorkers can hear the truth.

New Yorkers know my story. They know where I come from. I have been fighting injustice my entire life.

That fight has continued as your mayor.

Despite our pleas, when the federal government did nothing as its broken immigration policies overloaded our shelter system with no relief, I put the people of New York before party and politics.

Now, if I am charged, many may say I should resign because I cannot manage the city while fighting the case. I can also understand how everyday New Yorkers would be concerned that I cannot do my job while I face accusations.

But I have been facing these lies for months, since I began to speak out for all of you and their investigation started—yet the city has continued to improve.

Make no mistake: you elected me to lead this city—and lead it I will.

I humbly ask for your prayers and your patience as we see this through.

God bless you and God bless the City of New York. Thank you.

In response to word of the indictment, Scott Stringer released the following statement: 

Eric Adams is indicted. There is simply zero chance that the wheels of government will move forward from this full steam ahead. Instead, we are left with a broken down trainwreck of a municipal government. 

The mayor needs to resign for the good of the city. His legal fight is not our fight.  

While the mayor focuses on proving his innocence, the rest of us need to focus on the business of the city – building affordable housing, educating our kids, and keeping this city safe.

Calls for Adams' resignation began even before reports of his indictment surfaced. 

On Wednesday night, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez called for Adams to resign, citing a "flood of resignations" of top administration officials. Recent resignations and retirement announcements include Schools Chancellor David Banks, Health Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan, former NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban, and Adams' Chief Counsel Lisa Zornberg.

"I do not see how Mayor Adams can continue governing New York City. The flood of resignations and vacancies are threatening gov [sic] function. Nonstop investigations will make it impossible to recruit and retain a qualified administration. For the good of the city, he should resign," Ocasio-Cortez wrote. 

Ocasio-Cortez may be the most prominent person to call for Adams' resignation thus far, but she wasn't the first. 

State Senator Gustavo Rivera of the Bronx called on Adams to resign on Monday, saying he was "unfit to lead the great people of New York City." 

Earlier, on Sept. 15, City Councilmember Tiffany Cabán called on Adams to resign, saying he "Adams leads with corruption and mismanagement." 

Top members of Eric Adams' administration have been under scrutiny for some time for several different reasons. Take a look at who's who in the investigations. 

 New York City Mayor Eric Adams has been indicted following a federal investigation, sources tell CBS News New York.

The move comes on the heels of several investigations involving the mayor and members of his administration.