By Redacción
redaccion@latinocc.com
Gov. Kathy Hochul will not immediately remove New York City Mayor Eric Adams from office but instead will push for increased oversight of City Hall as the embattled mayor faces mounting scrutiny over his relationship with the Trump administration.
Hochul, a centrist Democrat like Adams, is expected to announce on Thursday that she has, for now, decided against taking action to remove him, according to three people familiar with the governor’s plan who spoke anonymously because they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.
The decision follows a week of consultations with political figures in New York as Hochul weighed concerns over Adams’ ability to govern independently after the Justice Department dropped its corruption case against him to allow him to assist Republican President Donald Trump’s immigration agenda.
Instead of ousting Adams, Hochul plans to introduce legislation aimed at placing new restrictions on City Hall’s operations.
Two sources familiar with the governor’s plan said the proposals include appointing a deputy inspector general specifically for New York City, creating a legal fund for city officials to challenge federal policies in court, and increasing funding for the state comptroller’s office to scrutinize the city’s finances.
Adams, who has faced increasing pressure to resign, has remained defiant. Speaking to reporters following a court hearing on Wednesday, he dismissed concerns over his ability to govern effectively.
“I will never surrender, never step down,” Adams said. “I’m going to step up and fight.”
When asked about Hochul’s plan to limit his mayoral power, Adams declined to comment during an unrelated press conference on Thursday. His spokesperson then abruptly ended the event.
A Mayor Under Fire
Adams’ troubles began in September when he was indicted on bribery and other charges, including allegedly accepting illegal campaign contributions and receiving travel perks in exchange for political favors to the Turkish government. Prosecutors claim that he pressured fire officials to approve the opening of a Turkish consular building despite failing a fire inspection.
Adams has pleaded not guilty and maintains that he has done nothing wrong. He insists that any assistance he provided to Turkish officials was part of his routine duties as an elected official.
Despite the severity of the allegations, Hochul has hesitated to remove Adams, arguing that doing so would be undemocratic. She has also expressed concerns about triggering a legal and political battle over the unprecedented removal of a sitting mayor in the nation’s largest city.
However, her stance shifted on Monday when four of Adams’ top deputies resigned following dramatic developments in his federal criminal case.
Federal Case Takes a Controversial Turn
Earlier this week, federal prosecutors unexpectedly dropped their case against Adams, citing concerns that the investigation was interfering with his ability to help implement Trump’s immigration enforcement policies.
The move sparked controversy, leading to multiple resignations within the Justice Department. Some prosecutors and supervisors reportedly stepped down rather than comply with what they saw as an improper order.
Further complicating matters, the acting top prosecutor in Manhattan alleged that Adams’ lawyers had offered his cooperation on immigration in exchange for the dismissal of his case. Both Adams and his lead attorney have denied the claim.
Following the Justice Department’s decision to drop the case, a federal judge ordered Adams and all involved parties to appear in court on Wednesday for further discussion. The judge has not yet ruled on whether the case will be officially dismissed.
Political Fallout and Future Implications
With Adams still under legal and political pressure, Hochul’s decision to impose stricter oversight rather than remove him reflects the complex nature of the situation. The proposed reforms could significantly curb the mayor’s power while allowing him to remain in office.
At the same time, Adams’ legal troubles could pose challenges for his reelection campaign, as voters weigh whether to keep him in office amid allegations of corruption and ethical concerns.
Hochul’s plan will likely face pushback from both Adams’ supporters and those who believe she should take stronger action. For now, the political future of New York City remains uncertain, with City Hall under tighter scrutiny than ever before.
