Trump says he'll consider pardoning NYC Mayor Eric Adams
NEW YORK - President-elect Donald Trump said he’d consider pardoning indicted New York City Mayor Eric Adams during a Monday morning news conference from his Mar-a-Lago, Florida, resort.
"Yeah I would," consider pardoning Adams, Trump told reporters before saying that he was not familiar with the specifics of the charges Adam is facing.
Trump answered questions from the press on Adams, the New Jersey drone mystery, vaccines, the CEO killing and more after announcing that the Japanese company SoftBank Group is planning to invest $100 billion in U.S. projects over the next four years.
With Trump returning to the White House, speculation is growing around his potential influence on New York City’s political and legal landscape – especially concerning embattled Mayor Adams.
Adams faces federal corruption charges and several members of his administration have come under investigation in a widening constellation of probes. He's accused of accepting flight upgrades and other luxury travel perks valued at $100,000 along with illegal campaign contributions from a Turkish official and other foreign nationals looking to buy his influence.
What Adams has said
Days after Trump’s election victory, Adams emphasized his intent to work with the Trump administration, administration and announced the end of the city’s controversial migrant credit card program, signaling a shift in his approach to the migrant crisis.
In a statement to FOX 5 NY, the mayor’s office said that the decision was unrelated to the election, noting that the rollback of assistance was driven by a decrease in need.
"We will work with the new administration and Congress to develop a realistic and compassionate national strategy for our immigration system," Adams said, reaffirming New York City’s role as "a city of immigrants and a beacon of liberty around the globe."
Trump's stance on the Adams indictment
Former President Donald Trump has openly commented on Adams’ legal woes, likening them to his own experiences with the New York legal system.
"I just want to be nice because I know what it’s like to be persecuted by the DOJ for speaking out against open borders," Trump said at the Al Smith dinner in October. "We were persecuted, Eric. I was persecuted, and so were you, Eric."
Prior to the election, Trump said that he had anticipated Adams’ indictment due to the mayor’s vocal opposition to New York’s handling of the migrant crisis. "I watched about a year ago when [Adams] talked about how the illegal migrants are hurting our city, and the federal government should pay us," Trump said. "I said, ‘You know what? He’ll be indicted within a year.’ And I was exactly right because that’s what we have."
Yet, despite his criticisms, Trump has acknowledged Adams’ favorable comments about him, contrasting him with former Mayor Bill de Blasio, whom he labeled the "worst mayor ever."