Stephen A's Take: I'm Independent, but NY Mayor Adams is now a Republican.

Sat Feb 15 2025

Summary

The Stephen A. Smith Show: Detailed Summary

Episode Title: Stephen A's Take: I'm Independent, but NY Mayor Adams is now a Republican
Release Date: February 15, 2025
Host: Stephen A. Smith and iHeartPodcasts

In this episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show, host Stephen A. Smith delves deep into the political turmoil surrounding New York City Mayor Eric Adams. The discussion encompasses speculation about Adams potentially switching party affiliations, his ongoing legal challenges, interactions with former President Donald Trump, and the broader implications for his political future. The episode is marked by Smith's unfiltered opinions, notable quotes, and insightful analysis of the current political landscape in New York.

1. Speculation on Mayor Eric Adams' Party Affiliation

The episode opens with a significant discussion about the rumors circulating that Mayor Eric Adams might switch his political allegiance from Democrat to Republican. This speculation is primarily based on reports from the head of the Republican Party in the Bronx, who claims that Adams reached out to explore the possibility of running as a Republican.

Mayor Adams' Official Stance: In response to the rumors, Mayor Adams strongly refuted the claims during an interview with NBC News. He stated:

"I'm going to be running as a Democrat for the Mayor of the City of New York. For all those saying differently, you heard it directly from me. I am going to be running in the Democratic primary."
[01:00]
Criticism of Party Switching: Stephen A. Smith expresses his disdain for politicians who switch parties, emphasizing his personal integrity and the importance of consistency:

"I personally don't like the political party affiliation switches, actually. I don't like that. That's... That's real shady to me."
[02:00]

2. Legal Challenges Facing Mayor Adams

A substantial portion of the episode is dedicated to Mayor Adams' legal issues, particularly his indictment by the Southern District of New York.

Resignation of Acting U.S. Attorney: Smith discusses the resignation of Ms. Daniel Sassoon, the Acting U.S. Attorney, who was the first to refuse to drop the case against Adams. Sassoon's resignation came after an order to dismiss the charges, highlighting potential political interference.

"She was the first to refuse to talk, the first to refuse to toss the case against Adams, who was indicted last fall... She's a Trump appointee, and she resigned. Props to her rule of law."
[03:30]
Allegations Against Trump: The episode explores the possibility that former President Donald Trump might have influenced the Department of Justice to drop the charges against Adams, despite Trump's official denial.

"Trump said, 'I didn't. I know nothing about it. I did not.' Now, who the hell believes that?"
[05:00]

3. Department of Justice (DOJ) Intervention

Smith critically examines the role of the DOJ in the Adams case, suggesting that internal politics may have led to the dismissal of charges.

Resignations and Loyalty Concerns: The resignation of Manhattan's top federal prosecutor and five senior DOJ officials is portrayed as indicative of deeper political maneuvering.

"We understand how politics work. We understand the powers that be and the influence they wield, and sometimes they manipulate the proceedings to some degree."
[04:30]
Trump's Influence: Smith questions the integrity of DOJ officials loyal to Trump, insinuating that their decisions are biased and politically motivated.

"You really think Pam Bondi, who's now the head of the DOJ, didn't inform Trump of what she was going to do?"
[06:00]

4. Immigration Policies and Rikers Island

The episode shifts focus to Mayor Adams' cooperation with federal immigration authorities, specifically regarding Rikers Island.

Agreement with ICE: Adams signed an order allowing federal immigration officers access to the Rikers Island jail complex, a move that has sparked controversy.

"Within hours of Sassoon resigning, Adams announced that he had signed an order allowing federal immigration officers into the Rikers Islands jail complex in New York City."
[07:00]
Criticism from Immigration Advocates: Murad Awadeh, CEO of the New York Immigration Coalition, vehemently opposes Adams' decision, viewing it as a betrayal of sanctuary city principles.

"This is a deal made with the devil to try to roll back our city's long-standing sanctuary laws and policies."
[07:45]

5. Political Implications and Future Prospects

Smith speculates on the potential ramifications of these developments for Adams' political career and the broader New York political scene.

Reelection Chances: He expresses doubts about Adams' ability to secure reelection, suggesting that former Governor Andrew Cuomo might be a strong contender for the mayoral seat.

"I don't even know if he'll win reelection because I think Andrew Cuomo has a good chance of winning."
[08:30]
Cuomo's Political Trajectory: Smith argues that Cuomo should focus on a gubernatorial run rather than seeking the mayoralty, given his past controversies and existing political stature.

"If you don't get back into politics now that all those allegations and accusations that were thrown Andrew Cuomo's way that compelled him to step away from office... I'd say go back and be governor of the state."
[08:15]

6. Final Thoughts and Conclusion

In concluding his analysis, Smith underscores the complex interplay of politics, legal maneuvering, and personal integrity in Mayor Adams' situation. He remains skeptical of the official narratives and emphasizes the need for transparency and accountability.

Skepticism Towards Official Statements: Smith remains unconvinced by Trump's denial of involvement in the DOJ's decision to drop charges against Adams.

"Maybe Trump is telling the truth. Nobody believes."
[08:45]
Ongoing Political Drama: The episode wraps up with Smith highlighting the unresolved tensions and the potential for further developments in New York City's political landscape.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

"I'm going to be running as a Democrat for the Mayor of the City of New York. For all those saying differently, you heard it directly from me. I am going to be running in the Democratic primary."
— Mayor Eric Adams, responding to party switch rumors
[01:00]
"I personally don't like the political party affiliation switches, actually. I don't like that. That's... That's real shady to me."
— Stephen A. Smith
[02:00]
"She was the first to refuse to talk, the first to refuse to toss the case against Adams, who was indicted last fall... She's a Trump appointee, and she resigned. Props to her rule of law."
— Stephen A. Smith
[03:30]
"Trump said, 'I didn't. I know nothing about it. I did not.' Now, who the hell believes that?"
— Stephen A. Smith
[05:00]
"You really think Pam Bondi, who's now the head of the DOJ, didn't inform Trump of what she was going to do?"
— Stephen A. Smith
[06:00]
"Within hours of Sassoon resigning, Adams announced that he had signed an order allowing federal immigration officers into the Rikers Islands jail complex in New York City."
— Stephen A. Smith
[07:00]
"This is a deal made with the devil to try to roll back our city's long-standing sanctuary laws and policies."
— Murad Awadeh, CEO of New York Immigration Coalition
[07:45]
"I don't even know if he'll win reelection because I think Andrew Cuomo has a good chance of winning."
— Stephen A. Smith
[08:30]
"Maybe Trump is telling the truth. Nobody believes."
— Stephen A. Smith
[08:45]

This episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show offers a comprehensive and critical examination of Mayor Eric Adams' political and legal challenges. Through incisive commentary and a series of compelling quotes, Smith provides listeners with a nuanced understanding of the complexities facing New York City's leadership and the broader implications for its political future.

Loading summary...

Transcript

Greg Rosenthal (0:00)

What's up, everyone? It's Greg Rosenthal, and I'm teaming up with the king of spring, Daniel Jeremiah. He requires me to say that we're going to be bringing you 40s and free agents, the only podcast you'll need this NFL draft season. From DJs mock drafts to my top 101, free agents will have it covered for you with all new episodes every Thursday, keeping you up to date as we head to the NFL Draft. Listen to 40s and free agents starting on March 6th on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Julie Swerbinks (0:30)

What's up, everyone? Julie Swerbinks here, along with former NHL player Nate Thompson.

Nate Thompson (0:35)

We're doing a new podcast together. Here we go.

Julie Swerbinks (0:38)

The name Energy Line with Nate and jsb.

Nate Thompson (0:41)

Each week we'll get together and talk about hockey life. All topics are fair game, right?

Julie Swerbinks (0:46)

Exactly. And you'll never know who will drop by to join us.

Nate Thompson (0:50)

Julia's pretty well connected. She has text threads going that you wouldn't believe.

Julie Swerbinks (0:55)

Listen to Energy Line with Nate and JSP on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Unknown Speaker (1:06)

Now let's get to New York City, my home, where apparently Mayor Eric Adams has until 5pm today to decide if he'll run as a Republican to seek reelection to his seat at City Hall. That's according to the head of the Republican Party in the Bronx, by the way, who says Mayor Adams called him earlier this week to explore the possibility. However, when asked about the speculation of switching parties, here's what Adams said yesterday to NBC News in New York. Quote, I'm going to be running as a Democrat for the Mayor of the City of New York. For all those saying differently, you heard it directly from me. I am going to be running in the Democratic primary, end quote. If Adams were interested in switching parties, he would have, again, up until 5pm 5pm deadline tonight, a stipulation for all New Yorkers to switch political party affiliation. I personally don't like the political party affiliation switches, actually. I don't like that. That's. That's real shady to me. Um, you tell it. You tell your constituency out there that you're running for one party and then you switch. I don't like stuff like that. That's just me. It's not the first time it's happened, and I get that part, but I just don't like it. I've never been one who likes stuff like that. That's just me. So I want to throw that out There, that's number one. Number two, listen, all of this right now is a pleasure to have Mayor Adams on the show. He's always welcome back on to express and explain his point of view as something that I welcome. But in the same breath, we have to be fair. You know, he's got some legal issues. We all know that. We all know the kind of trouble that the Southern District of New York was bringing to him because they were coming after him, and we know that. And so when we look at it from that standpoint, all of a sudden, he's meeting with Trump. He's meeting with Trump to discuss certain things. And then the Department of Justice tells New York to drop the charges, forcing the resignation of a Ms. Daniel Sassoon, the Acting U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York. She was. She was the first to refuse to talk, the first to refuse to toss the case against Adams, who was indicted last fall. By the way, keep something in mind. This woman who resigned from the Southern District of New York after being ordered to drop the case against Mayor Eric Adams, she was a Trump appointee. Let's not forget that. That's very important. She's a Trump appointee, and she resigned. Props to her rule of law. This is the way that it goes. We understand how politics work. We understand the powers that be and the influence they wield, and sometimes they manipulate the proceedings to some degree. I'm just looking at certain things right here. And when we heard President Donald Trump on Thursday denied instructing the Department of Justice to order the dismissal of the criminal prosecution against Mayor Adams. Trump's denial came as Manhattan's top federal prosecutor and five senior Department of Justice officials in Washington, D.C. resigned over an order by a top DOJ official to toss out the case against Adams. Trump said, quote, I didn't. When asked by a reporter if he requested the dismissal, he said, I know nothing about it. I did not. Now, who the hell believes that? I mean, I'm not calling him a liar. I'm just saying I don't believe him. Why? Because the people that he has in place are people that are, you know, will do his bidding, that are perceived as being fiercely loyal to Donald Trump. So how in God's name could something like this happen and he know nothing about it? You really think Pam Bondi, who's now the head of the doj, didn't inform Trump of what she was going to do? You really think that she didn't get his input at all? Especially since Mayor Adams has been communicating with Donald Trump, really? And Then Mayor Adams is taking a lot of heat because he's decided to be cooperative in terms of immigration. ICE specifically being allowed to look into Rikers Island. Rikers island jail complex. Within hours of Sassoon resigning, Adams announced that he was signed an order allowing federal immigration officers into the Rikers Islands jail complex in New York City. And he's taken a lot of heat. CEO of New York Immigration Coalition Murad Awade Awdeh writes, this is a deal made with the devil to try to roll back our city's long standing sanctuary laws and policies, policies that allow all New Yorkers to live freely while improving everyone's public safety, end quote. He continued, actually, Adams, Eric Adams has no integrity. He just made himself complicit with the Trump administration's detention to deportation pipeline in exchange for Department of Justice promise to squash the five count federal corruption charges against him. So that's what the situation seems to be with Eric Adams. Here's what jumps to my mind in the end, I've never thought that this was a significant case against Eric Adams. I think things get politicized. It wasn't an accident, as Eric Adams articulated right here on this show, how when he went to the White House for help with regards to immigration, in regards to immigrants coming into the city, the amount of money needed to take care of them, et cetera, that's when the trouble came his way. He believes it was being politicized itself. Okay, fine. We don't know. We don't have any proof. We could speculate till the cows come home. My thinking is I don't even know if he'll win reelection because I think Andrew Cuomo has a good chance of winning. The other thing I'm thinking is that Andrew Cuomo needs to run for the governor's seat of New York. I don't want to see Andrew Cuomo in a New York City mayor or in the mayor's seat. He's the former governor. If you don't get back into politics now that all those allegations and accusations that were thrown Andrew Cuomo's way that compelled him to step away from office, now that all of that is behind us, behind him, behind us, and he's getting ready to get back in the game, I'd say go back and be governor of the state. Why be mayor of the city when you could be governor of the whole damn state? That to me, is where Andrew Cuomo belongs. Eric Adams, who knows what the hell happened? He's denied it. Sassoon and others for the Southern District of New York claim that in their mind, he was absolutely, positively guilty. But they answered the folks and the folks that they answered to say, drop the damn charges. So this man's gonna go on with his life and continue to pursue his political future, and it's pretty much not a damn thing they could do about it. Trump denying that he has anything to do with it. Okay, the man meets with you, he talks with you, he's willing to capitulate some of your concerns about migrants in New York City and assist in that regard. And charges are dropped. But you had nothing to do with that. Okay, okay. You know, that is the equivalent of spitting in people's face and telling them it's raining. Maybe Trump is telling the truth. Nobody believes.