The Lawfare Podcast

Lawfare Archive: Mayor Adams, the Feds, and a Whole Lot of Foreign Money

Air date: January 3, 2026
Guests: Benjamin Wittes (Host), Tyler McBrien, Quinta Jurecic, Brandon Van Grack

Episode Overview

This archived episode from The Lawfare Podcast dives deeply into the 2024 federal indictment of then-New York Mayor Eric Adams, focusing on alleged foreign influence—in particular, a bribery and wire fraud scheme with purported ties to Turkish government officials and other foreign nationals. Hosted by Benjamin Wittes, the episode brings together Lawfare editors and national security experts to explore not only the specifics of the Adams indictment, but also the broader surge in U.S. Justice Department activity against foreign interference in American political life since 2016. The panel analyzes the legal, political, and policy implications of these cases, examines the government’s motivators and priorities, and unpacks public perceptions about corruption and trust in democratic institutions.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Adams Indictment: Allegations and Details

[03:11]

• Nature of Charges: Five counts including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, solicitation and acceptance of foreign contributions, and bribery.
• Alleged Scheme:
  • Spanning almost a decade, starting in 2014 when Adams was Brooklyn Borough President.
  • Accused of accepting and soliciting donations from Turkish nationals (including officials) in return for official favors.
  • One key favor: Pressuring the NYFD to ignore fire violations for a building intended for the new Turkish consulate ([06:46]).
  • Other alleged actions: Cutting ties with a community center critical of Turkey, refusing to issue statements on the Armenian genocide at Turkey’s behest ([06:46]).
  • Financial Magnitude: Also alleges Adams fraudulently received $10 million in public matching funds by masking illegal contributions ([03:56]; [21:17]).

Notable Quote:
“Adams had a very, very narrow victory in a very tightly contested race. So it is extremely conceivable to me that this money could have really given Adams a potential edge here.”
— Quinta Jurecic, [02:55]

2. The Rise in DOJ Foreign Influence Prosecutions

[09:12] [13:14]

• Historical Turning Point: The post-2016 Russian election interference, as exposed by the Mueller investigation, redefined foreign influence as a national security issue and catalyzed DOJ proactivity.
• Broader Context: Multiple recent prosecutions against officials, not just for Russia but also for China (e.g., NY Governor’s aide), Iran, and others ([13:40]; [16:25]).
• Shift in Prioritization:
  • Foreign interference prosecutions are now public, aggressive, and often timed for maximal deterrence (e.g., around UN Week in NYC).
  • The government’s aim is “aggressive transparency” and deterrence.

Notable Quote:
“This Department of Justice... has now charged a sitting senator, mayor of New York, sitting member of Congress. They have charged a former President of the United States. They have charged the sitting president’s son. That’s remarkable.”
— Brandon Van Grack, [31:47]

3. Legal Statutes and Challenges (FARA, Straw Donors, Campaign Law)

[08:18] [37:31]

• FARA Quandary: Why wasn’t Adams charged under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA)? The specifics of his actions straddled the line, and DOJ had to debate whether they constituted illegal foreign agency.
• Legal Strategy and Mens Rea: Discussion of DOJ’s need to prove intentional law-breaking and the importance (in the Adams case) of evidence like deleted texts, altered invoices, and explicit attempts to disguise contributions ([37:31]).

Notable Quote:
“Why would you lie to the FBI unless you thought you had done something that was wrong?”
— Brandon Van Grack, [37:31]

4. The Potential Impact on New York and Electoral Integrity

[21:04] [22:47] [24:06]

• Matching Funds System: NY’s system magnifies the effect of illegal donations, incentivizing outreach to small-dollar donors but was subverted in this case.
• Risk to Democratic Confidence: Not merely about one bad actor—perception that “everyone does it” is corrosive to public trust ([29:50]).

Notable Quotes:
“The great irony here is that this [matching funds program] was then used not only... to not engage with average New Yorkers but to not engage with New Yorkers at all. To not engage with Americans at all.”
— Tyler McBrien, [24:06]

“The more there is a perception that, you know, this is just how things work—I think that’s really damaging to public confidence and trust in government, because... this is an aberration.”
— Quinta Jurecic, [29:50]

5. Adams’s Response and Political Fallout

[33:57] [35:04]

• Adams’s Position: Publicly denies wrongdoing, positions himself as a law-following ex-cop. His press conference devolved amid protest shouts of “resign.”
• Successor Scenarios: If removed, NYC’s public advocate would become interim mayor, with potential for big names (e.g., Andrew Cuomo) to run in a special election.

6. Broader Trends & “Problem” Countries

[43:25] [45:38]

• Countries of Concern: While Russia, China, and Iran are priorities, DOJ cases have involved countries from Egypt to Sri Lanka, Azerbaijan, and even Uzbekistan.
• Ongoing Investigation: DOJ indicated the Adams investigation may expand, with other countries possibly implicated.

Notable Quote:
“The whole point... is that it really is country agnostic. That concern is foreign governments trying to influence policy or politicians covertly.”
— Brandon Van Grack, [43:25]

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• On the real cost of influence:
  “His every step is being watched right now. $1,000 or so. Let it be somewhat real. We don’t want them to say he is flying for free. At the moment, the media’s attention is on Eric.”
  — Tyler McBrien reading indictment details, [40:47]

• Practical consequences:
  “There is reporting that suggests that Andrew Cuomo might step in and throw his hat in the ring to be the next mayor. And then I think it’s probably likely that [Jumaane] Williams will also run. People have thrown around the name Maya Wiley, so candidates of years past will probably come out of the woodwork.”
  — Tyler McBrien, [35:23]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Adams indictment details & allegations — [03:11]–[08:18]
• How DOJ approaches foreign influence post-2016 — [09:12]–[13:14]
• Recent DOJ cases involving Russia, China, Iran — [13:14]–[16:25]
• Mechanics and vulnerabilities of NY’s matching funds program — [21:04]–[24:06]
• Public trust, norms, and perception of corruption — [29:50]–[31:47]
• Adams’s defense and political consequences — [33:57]–[36:00]
• Legal complexity in enforcing foreign influence laws — [36:00]–[42:04]
• Which countries are on DOJ’s radar and why — [43:25]–[47:03]

Tone & Style

The conversation is serious, precise, and steeped in legal and political expertise, but the participants also incorporate witty asides and a sense of institutional urgency.

Summary Takeaway

The Adams indictment sits at the center of an aggressive new era in U.S. law enforcement’s war against covert foreign influence in politics. The episode underscores how public corruption cases are now viewed through a national security lens, the intricacies and pitfalls of legally addressing such influence, and how public perception can be as crucial as factual guilt for the democratic health of the nation. The matter is ongoing—both for Adams personally and for American politics widely.