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New York Governor Kathy Hochul is reportedly considering the removal of NYC Mayor Eric Adams amid allegations that he engaged in a “quid pro quo deal” with the Trump administration.
Some shit you should know before you read: Back in September, New York City Mayor Eric Adams was indicted on multiple corruption charges, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, solicitation of a contribution by a foreign national, and bribery. Adams claimed the charges were politically motivated, arguing that he was being targeted as retaliation for his public criticism of the Biden administration’s handling of the migrant crisis. Shortly after Trump took office, the Department of Justice ordered federal prosecutors to dismiss the case without assessing its strength, citing concerns over political interference in the 2025 mayoral election. The decision led to the resignation of Manhattan’s interim US Attorney Danielle Sassoon, who accused the DOJ of orchestrating a quid pro quo—alleging that Adams’ legal troubles were dropped in exchange for his cooperation with Trump’s immigration policies, a claim the DOJ and Mayor Adams deny.
What’s going on now: Following the allegations, New York Governor Kathy Hochul is reportedly weighing her legal authority to remove Mayor Eric Adams from office, citing the seriousness of the claims against him. Under the New York State Constitution, the governor has the power to remove certain elected officials for misconduct or malfeasance, though such a move would be unprecedented for a sitting New York City mayor. Hochul has stated that she is consulting with legal experts and government officials before making a decision, stressing that while the situation is “extremely concerning,” she does not want to take politically motivated action. Meanwhile, pressure is mounting from within her party, with key Democratic leaders calling for Adams to step down, arguing that the controversy has become a major “distraction” from governing.
The scrutiny over Adams’ future intensified after he announced plans to reinstate US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations on Rikers Island, reversing the city’s longstanding sanctuary policies. Since Trump won the election, Mayor Adams has also grown increasingly close to Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, meeting with him just days before the DOJ dropped charges against him.
During that meeting, their discussions reportedly centered on using Rikers Island as a hub for ICE agents to detain and deport undocumented immigrants, a move that aligns with Trump’s aggressive immigration stance. Critics argue that Adams’ sudden shift toward Trump’s policies raises further concerns about a quid pro quo and whether he leveraged his position for political survival.
