New York Governor Kathy Hochul has the power to remove Mayor Eric Adams from office, but on Thursday, she warned against any “knee-jerk” reaction.
There have been renewed calls for Hochul to remove Adams after a top New York federal prosecutor resigned over allegations the Department of Justice demanding the corruption case against the mayor be dropped was in exchange for Adams helping with President Donald Trump‘s immigration agenda. Adams has denied all wrongdoing and has said he is the victim of a “politicized” justice system.
Newsweek has contacted Hochul’s and Adams’ offices, as well as the DOJ, for comment via email outside of regular working hours.
Why It Matters
Democrats have long raised concerns that Trump would fill the DOJ with loyalists and use the federal agency to target political opponents rather than act as a politically neutral investigative body.
Adams, a Democrat, has faced accusations that he may switch allegiances and become a Republican in the hopes it would help dismiss the federal charges he faces, or to secure a presidential pardon. Adams met Trump in Florida in January, but he said his case was not discussed with the then president-elect.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams listens to a question during an Adult Town Hall at Sunnyside Community Services Older Adult Center on February 12, 2025 in New York City. New York City Mayor Eric Adams listens to a question during an Adult Town Hall at Sunnyside Community Services Older Adult Center on February 12, 2025 in New York City. Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images
What to Know
Hochul has the power to remove any mayor from office under powers cited in the New York State Constitution and the New York City Charter.
The charter states that a mayor may be removed from office by the governor upon “charges” being presented.
A New York governor may also suspend the mayor for up to 30 days pending the preparation and disposition of charges.
Adams was indicted in September 2024 on federal charges, including conspiracy to defraud the United States, wire fraud, solicitation of contributions by a foreign national, and bribery. He was accused of accepting more than $100,000 in luxury gifts and illegal campaign contributions from Turkish officials and businesspeople in exchange for opening a consulate in New York without proper fire inspections. Adams denied all the allegations against him.
New York Democrats, including Hochul’s second-in-command, Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado, have called for Adams to resign from office.
Others have called on the governor to remove Adams after Manhattan’s top federal prosecutor, Danielle Sassoon, and five DOJ officials resigned Thursday.
Speaking to MSNBC‘s Rachel Maddow on Thursday, Hochul did not rule out removing Adams but warned against a “knee-jerk, politically motivated reaction.”
Sassoon, a Republican who was the interim U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, wrote to Attorney General Pam Bondi that Adams’ attorneys pushed for a “quid pro quo” agreement in which he would assist with Trump’s immigration policies if the indictment were dismissed.
Sassoon resigned after refusing to follow through with the order from acting Deputy U.S. Attorney General Emil Bove to drop Adams’ case. Sassoon said the order from Bove had “nothing to do with the strength of the case” against Adams and that she is “confident” the mayor has committed the crimes he has been charged with.
Bove, who defended Trump in his criminal cases, denied that there was a “quid pro quo” agreement in the decision to drop Adams’ corruption case, while accepting Sassoon’s resignation.
The criminal case against Adams is still active as of early Friday morning.
What People Are Saying
New York Governor Kathy Hochul speaking to MSNBC on Thursday: “The allegations are extremely concerning and serious, yes, but I cannot, as the governor of this state, have a knee-jerk, politically motivated reaction, like a lot of other people are saying right now. I have to do what’s smart, what’s right, and I’m consulting with other leaders in government at this time.”
New York State Assembly member and gubernatorial candidate Zohran Mamdani, posted on BlueSky: “Governor Hochul should remove Eric Adams from office.”
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York posted on BlueSky: “Adams must be removed. The city cannot sustain being governed for nearly a year by a mayor who is being coerced by the Trump administration in order to escape charges. This corruption poses a real threat to the people of the city. He should have resigned a while ago, but will not. So it’s time for him to go.”
Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove, while accepting Sassoon’s resignation: “You have also strained, unsuccessfully, to suggest that some kind of quid pro quo arises from my directive. This is false, as you acknowledged previously in writing. The Justice Department is charged with keeping people safe across the country. Your office’s job is to help keep the city safe. But your actions have endangered it.”
What Happens Next
If Adams is removed or resigns as mayor, Hochul would announce a temporary replacement, and a special election would take place within 80 days of the vacancy.
