Consider This from NPR: Will New York's Mayor Survive Widening Scandal?
Released on February 18, 2025

Introduction to the Scandal

The episode delves into the escalating political scandal surrounding New York City Mayor Eric Adams. Mary Louise Kelly opens the discussion by highlighting a series of concerning numbers that encapsulate the depth of the crisis:

• 5 Criminal Charges: Filed against Adams late last year, these charges accuse him of leveraging various city offices over nearly a decade to secure extravagant vacations and illicit campaign contributions.
• 5 Charges Dropped: Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bovey ordered federal prosecutors to dismiss these charges earlier this month, citing that the indictment hampers Mayor Adams' ability to tackle illegal immigration and violent crime within the city.
• 4 Resignations: Adams witnessed the resignation of four of his top deputies yesterday, effectively decimating his senior leadership team. This follows a trend of key officials exiting his administration.
• 235 Years of Authority: Governor Kathy Hochul possesses the authority, established 235 years ago, to remove the mayor should they deem them unfit to govern—a power she has never exercised until now.

Mary Louise Kelly sums up the situation:
"The nation's biggest city has been all but paralyzed by the legal and political problems of its mayor. What's next for Eric Adams? And what does the scandal tell us about the Trump Justice Department?"
[00:00]

Governor Hochul's Response

Governor Kathy Hochul is at the forefront of deliberating Mayor Adams' political fate. Over the past day, she engaged in several closed-door meetings with influential New York City politicians and civic leaders, including Reverend Al Sharpton and Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, the House Democratic Minority Leader. These discussions centered on Adams' capacity to continue his tenure amidst the burgeoning scandal.

Brian Mann reports:
"Hogul spent the day holding closed-door, one-on-one meetings with some of New York City's most influential politicians and civic leaders… In her statement, Hochul said Adams' alleged conduct at City Hall is troubling and cannot be ignored. She made it clear that removing Adams from office is a real possibility, but so far, she has not pulled that trigger."
[03:04]

Conversations and Political Tone

The tone of the conversations between Hochul and city leaders is increasingly critical. Congressman Jeffries expressed severe concerns about Adams' leadership:

"It's a deeply disturbing development. Mayor Adams has a responsibility to decisively demonstrate to the people of New York City that he has the capacity to continue to govern in the best interest of New Yorkers, as opposed to taking orders from the Trump administration."
— Hakeem Jeffries
[04:08]

Brian Mann elaborates on the deteriorating confidence in Adams:
"Confidence in Adams' ability to lead has been shattered."
[03:50]

Eric Adams' Ties to the Trump Administration

Mayor Adams' relationship with the Trump administration is under intense scrutiny. Initially indicted in September on federal corruption and bribery charges—which he denies—Adams sought to mitigate these charges by aligning closely with Trump and the Justice Department's new leadership. Critics, including a DOJ attorney, allege a quid pro quo arrangement: Adams' cooperation on immigration matters in exchange for the suspension of his criminal charges.

Brian Mann explains:
"After President Trump was elected, Adams and his legal team started courting Trump's team and the new leadership at the Justice Department, they looked for those very serious charges to be dropped. Critics… say Adams team offered a quid pro quo here. You know, shelve these criminal charges. And in return, New York City's administration will help crack down on undocumented migrants."
[04:33]

DOJ's Handling of Politically Sensitive Cases

The episode shifts focus to the broader implications of Adams' case on the Department of Justice (DOJ). Kerry Johnson discusses the perceived pattern of leniency towards individuals with ties to former President Trump:

"Steven Salzberg says this actually started on Inauguration Day with Trump's clemency for more than 1,500 people who took part in the Capitol riot. He says it looks like Trump wanted to cut those people a break because they were acting on his behalf."
— Kerry Johnson
[07:07]

The leniency extends beyond Adams, with the DOJ having recently dismissed cases against other Republican figures, including former Nebraska Congressman Jeff Fortenberry and Republican Congressman Andy Ogles, who introduced a bill facilitating Trump's potential third-term run.

Steven Salzberg adds:
"There are patterns that we haven't really seen in the past. None of the patterns inspire a lot of confidence that the department is being evenhanded in its approach to cases."
— Steven Salzberg
[06:55]

Impact on Eric Adams' Future

The future of Mayor Adams remains uncertain. With four top deputies resigning and the potential for Governor Hochul to leverage her authority to remove him, the political landscape is rapidly shifting. Judge Dale Ho is set to review the DOJ's request to suspend the criminal charges against Adams, a decision expected to influence Hochul's next steps.

Kerry Johnson reports:
"Seven prosecutors quit rather than move to drop that case. They said it looked like an unlawful quid pro quo. Adams and his lawyer have flatly denied that. But the judge in the case, Dale Ho, has ordered both sides to court Wednesday in New York to explain why the prosecution's being dismissed."
[08:30]

Additionally, over 900 former DOJ prosecutors have signed a letter commending those within the department who resisted unethical pressures, underscoring the internal conflict regarding Adams' case.

Broader Implications for DOJ and Political Landscape

The scandal surrounding Mayor Adams serves as a microcosm of the DOJ's current challenges. With accusations of politicization and selective enforcement of laws, the integrity of the department is under threat. Cassidy Johnson notes the fears that the DOJ may both shield Trump allies while aggressively pursuing Trump's critics.

"The fear of many of my sources is that the DOJ will, on one hand, move to help Trump's friends get out of trouble and on the other, use its vast powers of investigation and prosecution against people who have criticized the president."
— Kerry Johnson
[09:34]

Harvard Law Professor Jack Goldsmith criticizes the DOJ's actions as "doublespeak," suggesting a deliberate strategy to weaponize law enforcement against political adversaries.

Conclusion

The episode underscores a pivotal moment for both New York City and the Department of Justice. Mayor Eric Adams' ability to navigate the mounting legal and political pressures will not only determine his political future but also reflect on the DOJ's commitment to impartial justice. As Governor Hochul contemplates invoking her rarely used power to remove the mayor, the nation watches closely, recognizing the broader implications for governance and the rule of law in a deeply polarized political environment.

Notable Quotes:

• "Mayor Adams has a responsibility to decisively demonstrate to the people of New York City that he has the capacity to continue to govern in the best interest of New Yorkers, as opposed to taking orders from the Trump administration."
  — Hakeem Jeffries
  [04:08]

• "The politicization of the Department of Justice seems like it's complete."
  — Steven Salzberg
  [09:09]

• "The fear of many of my sources is that the DOJ will, on one hand, move to help Trump's friends get out of trouble and on the other, use its vast powers of investigation and prosecution against people who have criticized the president."
  — Kerry Johnson
  [09:34]

This summary is based on the transcript of the NPR episode titled "Will New York's Mayor Survive Widening Scandal?" released on February 18, 2025.