Pod Force One: Mayor Eric Adams on Battling Biden and Working with Trump

Episode Release Date: July 23, 2025
Host: Miranda Devine
Guest: Mayor Eric Adams, New York City

Introduction and Political Alignment

In the opening segment, Miranda Devine welcomes listeners to the Pod Force One podcast from Gracie Mansion’s Peach Room, introducing Mayor Eric Adams amidst his intense re-election campaign.

Miranda Devine [00:02]:
“We’re in New York City in Gracie Mansion in the Peach Room. This is the home of Mayor Eric Adams, who we're going to be speaking to.”

Mayor Adams clarifies his political stance, emphasizing his continued affiliation with the Democratic Party while running as an independent under the “Safe and Affordable” platform to address key issues facing New Yorkers.

Eric Adams [00:36]:
“And I'm still a Democrat, but the rules allow us to run on independent lines. And so I am a Democrat running on an independent line called safe and affordable to address the top issues that New Yorkers are facing.”

He expresses dissatisfaction with the current direction of the Democratic Party, stating that it has strayed from the needs of the working class.

Eric Adams [01:14]:
“It’s clear that a portion of our party has taken a far-left approach to governing. And I don’t support those concepts. It’s not so much I left the party, but the party left me.”

Challenges Within the Democratic Party

Miranda probes into the issues Adams perceives within the Democratic Party, leading to a discussion about the disconnect between party policies and the working-class concerns.

Miranda Devine [01:14]:
“What made you leave the party and become an independent?”

Eric Adams [01:17]:
“We are allowing a numerical minority that is the loudest to hijack the needs of working-class people. They are concerned about affordability, safety, and a bright future—issues that are not being addressed by current party conversations.”

Assessing Political Adversaries

Miranda enumerates the key challengers Adams faces in the re-election race, including Andrew Cuomo, Zoram Mamdani, and Curtis Lewa, questioning who poses the greatest threat.

Miranda Devine [01:51]:
“We have Andrew Cuomo... Zoram Mamdani... and Curtis Lewa. Of those three, who do you see as the most difficult to beat?”

Adams dismisses them as significant obstacles, highlighting their lack of substantial records and focusing instead on his own achievements and administration’s successes.

Eric Adams [02:29]:
“When I ran in 2021, Andrew Yang was a national figure beating me by 13 points, but I stayed focused on explaining why I was the best candidate. Now, with my administration’s successes overshadowed by federal investigations, I’m here to speak directly to voters.”

Divergence from Zoram Mamdani’s Policies

Focusing on his primary opponent, Mamdani, Adams critiques the potential impact of Mamdani’s far-left policies on New York City.

Eric Adams [04:16]:
“Mamdani wants to empty out Rikers Island, but that means dangerous individuals will return to their communities, primarily affecting black and brown neighborhoods. His supermarket program threatens local mom-and-pop stores, and his rent freeze policies could lead to neglected buildings and decreased quality of life for low-income residents.”

Adams underscores the challenges posed by Mamdani’s policies, arguing they undermine the safety and economic stability of the city.

Personal Background and Overcoming Adversity

Miranda shifts the conversation to Adams’ personal history, delving into his difficult childhood and the influence of his parents.

Miranda Devine [06:52]:
“You had a difficult childhood... How did you manage to escape a difficult upbringing like that?”

Adams shares heartfelt reflections on his mother’s resilience and the absence of his father, highlighting his struggle with undiagnosed dyslexia and subsequent academic and personal growth.

Eric Adams [07:17]:
“Power of God and prayer... My sister raised us while my mother worked three jobs. I struggled with dyslexia, feeling dumb until I discovered I learned differently and excelled in school. These experiences shaped my resilience.”

Experiences with Law Enforcement and Policing Philosophy

The discussion transitions to Adams’ experiences with law enforcement, including a traumatic incident during his youth, which later influenced his career in policing and public safety reform.

Eric Adams [10:18]:
“When my brother and I were arrested for criminal trespassing, officers assaulted us, leading to a week of pain and trauma. This fueled my determination to reform police practices.”

Adams explains how these experiences motivated him to advocate for proper policing and public safety reforms, balancing enforcement with justice.

Crime and Public Safety in New York City

Miranda addresses crime rates and public safety, prompting Adams to highlight the administration’s successes in reducing major crimes despite legislative challenges.

Eric Adams [19:15]:
“We’ve seen the lowest number of homicides and shootings in recorded history over the last six months.”

He attributes these achievements to strategic initiatives such as gun enforcement units, hotspot policing, and the removal of illegal guns from the streets.

Eric Adams [21:52]:
“We created hot spots and implemented a gun enforcement unit that removed 22,000 illegal guns, leading to a significant decrease in shootings.”

Managing Quality of Life Issues

Adams introduces the “Q Teams” initiative aimed at addressing quality of life concerns beyond violent crime, such as illegal dumping, abandoned vehicles, and street homelessness.

Eric Adams [23:30]:
“We call it the Q Teams, targeting issues like illegal dumping and abandoned vehicles to ensure New Yorkers feel safe and the city remains clean.”

He emphasizes the balance between enforcing quality of life regulations and managing broader social issues like cannabis laws and homelessness.

Handling the Migrant and Asylum Seeker Crisis

A significant portion of the conversation focuses on New York City’s response to the migrant and asylum seeker influx, highlighting the logistical and financial burdens it imposed on the city.

Eric Adams [25:27]:
“We received over 2.2 million migrants and asylum seekers, peaking at 4,000 a week. Building a shelter system within months was unprecedented but necessary.”

Adams criticizes the Biden administration’s handling of border security, attributing the decrease in migrant arrivals to the Trump administration’s policies.

Eric Adams [27:47]:
“The Trump administration secured the border, reducing migrant arrivals and alleviating the financial strain on New York City.”

Lawfare and Legal Challenges

Miranda probes into the legal challenges Adams faced, which he attributes to political retribution for his criticisms of federal policies.

Eric Adams [28:04]:
“I was indicted for calling the fire department to inspect a building, which was misconstrued as bribery. This was part of the lawfare against me for defending my city.”

He discusses the broader implications of politicized justice, referencing similar cases involving other African American leaders.

Relationship with Donald Trump

Adams elucidates his relationship with former President Donald Trump, clarifying misconceptions about any pardons or deals.

Eric Adams [37:06]:
“There was no deal between Trump and me. The Justice Department investigated my case independently, and the charges were dropped based on an independent analysis.”

He recounts their first meeting at the Alfred E. Smith dinner, where Trump expressed support against the prosecution he was facing.

Eric Adams [39:03]:
“I met Trump at the Alfred E. Smith dinner. He stated that what was being done to me was wrong, reflecting his personal and family struggles with lawfare.”

Collaboration with ICE and Federal Agencies

Adams outlines his approach to working with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other federal agencies to ensure city safety without overstepping legal boundaries.

Eric Adams [41:39]:
“We coordinate with ICE to target dangerous individuals, such as criminal gangs, while respecting legal limits on deportation authorities.”

He shares successes in dismantling violent gangs, emphasizing the importance of interagency collaboration.

Personal Insights and Secrets of Success

In a lighter segment, Miranda asks Adams about personal talents and habits, leading to a discussion about his endeavors to learn guitar and his philosophy on success.

Eric Adams [42:05]:
“Embrace imperfection and resilience. It’s about grit—pushing through dark moments with determination.”

Adams attributes his success to the lessons learned from his mother’s unwavering commitment and his own dedication to serving the community.

Conclusion

Miranda Devine wraps up the conversation, thanking Mayor Adams for his candid insights into the challenges and triumphs of leading New York City amidst political turbulence.

Miranda Devine [43:20]:
“Thank you so much for joining us today. I’m Miranda Devine.”

Notable Quotes:

• Eric Adams [01:17]:
  “It’s not so much I left the party, but the party left me.”

• Eric Adams [07:17]:
  “I learned I was dumb instead of just that I learned differently.”

• Eric Adams [19:15]:
  “We’ve seen the lowest number of homicides and shootings in recorded history over the last six months.”

• Eric Adams [42:05]:
  “It’s about grit—those who have grit and are willing to push through dark moments are the successful people.”

This episode of Pod Force One provides an in-depth look into Mayor Eric Adams’ leadership, personal resilience, and the political battles he faces both locally and federally. From addressing crime and quality of life issues in New York City to navigating complex relationships with federal administrations, Adams offers a comprehensive perspective on his strategies for fostering a safer and more prosperous city.