Podcast Summary: Tangle – "The Dropped Charges Against Eric Adams"

Release Date: February 13, 2025
Host: Isaac Saul

Introduction

In this episode of Tangle, host Will Kbach delves into the recent developments surrounding New York City Mayor Eric Adams and the Department of Justice's (DOJ) request to dismiss all charges against him. The discussion provides a comprehensive overview of the case, explores the DOJ's rationale, and presents perspectives from both the political right and left. Additionally, the episode includes quick news highlights, listener interactions, and other pertinent stories.

Background on Eric Adams' Indictment

Will Kbach begins by providing a refresher on the charges against Mayor Eric Adams, which date back to his indictment in September 2024. Adams faces five counts, including bribery, conspiracy, fraud, and soliciting illegal foreign campaign donations. Notably, he is the first sitting mayor of New York City to be charged with a federal crime.

Key Points:

• Charges: Adams is accused of accepting over $123,000 in undisclosed luxury travel benefits.
• Allegations: It is alleged that Adams made false disclosure statements to the New York City Campaign Finance Board and directed staffers to solicit donations from foreign businessmen in exchange for gifts and accommodations.
• Potential Penalty: If convicted, Adams faces up to 45 years in prison.
• Adams' Stance: He denies all allegations, pleading not guilty to each charge.

DOJ's Request to Dismiss the Charges

At [05:12], Emil Bove, Tangle's Executive Producer, outlines the DOJ's recent move. Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove has directed the Southern District of New York (SDNY) to dismiss all charges against Mayor Adams "without prejudice."

Key Highlights:

• Reasoning: The DOJ cites that the case was politically motivated by the Biden administration, potentially hindering Adams' efforts to address the city's migrant crisis.
• Due Process Concerns: Bove noted that the timing of the charges, coupled with public actions by the former U.S. attorney who initiated the case, could compromise the trial's integrity due to biased pretrial publicity.
• Legal Process: The charges are not officially dropped yet; a formal request must be submitted and reviewed by a judge.
• Adams' Response: Reiterates his innocence, stating, "I never broke the law and I never would. I absolutely never treated my power as an elected official for any personal benefit." [07:45]

Reactions from the Political Right

Emil Bove presents a spectrum of right-leaning opinions in response to the DOJ's decision.

1. New York Post Editorial Board:

   • Perspective: The dismissal allows for a healthier mayoral race, free from the "distraction of a criminal prosecution."
   • Quote: "New Yorkers should be grateful for that. Adams will now have a shot of making his case for reelection without the distraction..." [07:50]

2. Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review:

   • Perspective: Argues that the DOJ's decision is explicitly political and criticizes the politicization of law enforcement.
   • Quote: "Politicized law enforcement is always wrong..." [10:15]

3. Josh Blackmun:

   • Proposal: Advocates for a 28th Constitutional Amendment to provide greater immunity to elected officials during their terms, suggesting that prosecutions should only occur once they are out of office.
   • Quote: "Under this amendment, the power of lawfare would be blunted." [14:30]

Summary: The right-leaning voices are divided; some view the dismissal as empowering voters and preventing political weaponization of the justice system, while others believe it underscores the DOJ's politicization under the Biden administration.

Reactions from the Political Left

Emil Bove moves on to scrutinize the reaction from left-leaning commentators, highlighting significant criticisms of the DOJ's decision.

1. Ellie Honig, New York Magazine:

   • Perspective: Criticizes the DOJ's rationale as a blend of conspiracy theories and illogical claims, suggesting a willingness to distort the truth.
   • Quote: "The dismissal of the case against Adams is an obvious injustice. Maybe he'd have beaten it, maybe not. But let a jury decide that." [15:50]

2. Elizabeth Glaser, Vital City:

   • Perspective: Views the dismissal as a diabolical bargain between the mayor and the president, holding New Yorkers hostage to political whims.
   • Quote: "The mayor may be an enthusiastic hostage... but New Yorkers are the chumps who will have to live with..." [16:30]

3. Shirin Ali, Slate:

   • Perspective: Draws parallels between Adams' case and previous political prosecutions, suggesting a pattern of using legal actions for political gain.
   • Quote: "This directive came straight from Emil Bove, who was Trump's personal defense attorney..." [16:50]

Summary: Left-leaning critiques focus on the DOJ's decision as an act of political manipulation, undermining the integrity of the justice system and potentially setting a dangerous precedent for future political prosecutions.

Host's Take

Will Kbach shares his analysis and personal stance on the DOJ's decision to drop the charges against Mayor Adams.

Key Insights:

• Disappointment: Kbach expresses disappointment in the DOJ's move, citing the seriousness of the allegations and the evidence that merited prosecution.
• Legal Precedents: References Supreme Court rulings (McDonnell vs. United States and Snyder vs. United States) to argue that some of Adams' actions may not meet the legal definitions of bribery.
• Presumption of Innocence: Acknowledges that Adams retains his presumption of innocence, but maintains that the prosecution had a justifiable basis for the case.
• Critique of DOJ's Rationale: Points out the DOJ's failure to assess the strength of the evidence before requesting dismissal, undermining their stated reasons.
• Concerns About Political Agenda: Suggests that the dismissal may be a tactic by the DOJ to advance a political agenda, potentially impacting future prosecutions when it is politically convenient.

Notable Quotes:

• "The case was not a slam dunk on every charge. For example, while accepting flight upgrades and free hotel stays from the Turkish government... that act is not necessarily criminal." [17:00]
• "The DOJ did not even attempt to determine the strength of the case before moving to dismiss it." [17:35]
• "The Justice Department's inadequate rationale for dropping these charges raises the specter of the exact kind of politicized decision making in the justice system that President Trump ran against." [22:45]

Conclusion: Kbach criticizes the DOJ's decision as a subversion of the justice system, motivated by political considerations rather than legal merits, echoing concerns about the politicization of prosecutions.

Additional Segments

Quick Hits

Emil Bove shares brief updates on various national and political news:

1. Trump-Putin Discussion: President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed a possible ceasefire in Ukraine.
2. NATO Membership for Ukraine: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that the Trump administration does not support Ukraine's NATO membership as part of a peace plan.
3. Confirmation of Tulsi Gabbard: The Senate confirmed Tulsi Gabbard as the Director of National Intelligence with a vote of 52-48, where Senator Mitch McConnell was the sole Republican opposing.
4. Consumer Price Index (CPI): The CPI rose 0.5% month-over-month and 3% annually in January, prompting Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell to suggest delaying further interest rate cuts.
5. Trump's Deferred Resignation Program: A federal judge restored President Trump's program offering federal employees full pay through September if they resign, ruling that unions lacked standing to challenge it.
6. Inspector Generals Lawsuit: Eight inspectors general sued to reverse Trump's January decision to fire them, alleging unlawful termination.
7. Senator Tina Smith's Decision: Senator Tina Smith announced she will not seek re-election in 2020.

Reader Question

A listener, Luke from Brooklyn, New York, inquires about trust in news sources amidst concerns over financial influences. Hunter Casperson, Tangle's editorial fellow, responds by emphasizing the importance of:

• Diversifying News Consumption: Engaging with multiple perspectives to develop a critical eye.
• Evaluating Bias: Assessing whether outlets interview both sides, use emotional language, are data-driven, conduct fact-checks impartially, and maintain transparency about corrections.
• Differentiating News from Opinion: Recognizing the distinction to better understand the content's intent and reliability.

Key Advice:

1. Interviewing Both Sides: Ensures balanced reporting.
2. Emotional Language: Can indicate bias or attempt to sway opinions.
3. Data-Driven Reporting: Relies on factual information rather than opinions.
4. Fact-Checking: Validates claims made by all parties involved.
5. Transparency: Openness about corrections builds trust.

Under the Radar Story

Emil Bove highlights a Global Summit on Artificial Intelligence held in Paris, attended by Vice President J.D. Vance. Key points include:

• Summit Participants: Countries worldwide discussed their visions for AI development.
• US and UK Stance: Both nations declined to sign an agreement advocating for an open, inclusive, and ethical approach to AI, citing concerns over national security and global governance.
• Vice President Vance's Position: Advocated against excessive AI regulation, emphasizing support for the transformative potential of the technology.

Numbers Section Highlights:

• Ethical Misconduct Indictments: Only 3 New York City mayoral staff and agency heads indicted or convicted of ethical misconduct between 1990-2021.
• Public Opinion in NYC:
  • 49% oppose dismissing Adams' corruption case.
  • 27% support the DOJ's decision.
  • Poll on Mayoral Primary Support: 10% back Adams, while 33% support former Governor Andrew Cuomo.
  • Adams' Favorability: -46% net favorability.
  • Job Approval: -29% among NYC voters.

Nice News

Artist Maya Bratkis from Southern California launched the Lost Homes Project on Reddit, offering to draw lost homes for free amidst devastating fires. The initiative aims to:

• Memorialize Losses: Create drawings of destroyed homes to honor what was lost.
• Support Fire Victims: Source donations to aid the affected community.
• Future Endeavors: Plan to compile the drawings and stories into a book as a lasting tribute.

Conclusion

The episode provides a multifaceted examination of the DOJ's decision to drop charges against Mayor Eric Adams, presenting intricate details of the case, varied political reactions, and the host's critical analysis. Beyond the central topic, Tangle offers listeners a blend of quick news updates, engaging reader interactions, and heartwarming stories, maintaining its commitment to delivering diverse perspectives in the political landscape.

Notable Quotes:

• Emil Bove ([05:32]): "The Justice Department reasoned that the case was politically motivated by the Biden administration and interfered with the mayor's ability to combat the city's migrant crisis."

• Eric Adams ([07:45]): "I never broke the law and I never would. I absolutely never treated my power as an elected official for any personal benefit."

• Andrew C. McCarthy ([10:15]): "Politicized law enforcement is always wrong, and it is not more attractive when it insulates a politician from what appears to be righteous law enforcement than when it targets a politician with what appears to be discriminatory law enforcement."

• Elizabeth Glaser ([16:30]): "This dismissal is part of a diabolical bargain that holds the mayor and thus New Yorkers as hostages to the president and his whims."

• Will Kbach ([22:45]): "The Justice Department's inadequate rationale for dropping these charges raises the specter of the exact kind of politicized decision making in the justice system that President Trump ran against."

Listen to the full episode on Acast and subscribe to Tangle for more in-depth political discussions and analyses.