Mayor Adams Praises Trump on Border Crisis Management
Mayor Eric Adams recently commended former President Trump for addressing the border crisis that, according to him, became “out of control” under President Biden. He highlighted how the situation left New York City to manage and support a significant influx of migrants.
Adams mentioned in an interview that the Trump administration effectively secured the borders, which, in his view, reduced the number of newcomers. He remarked, “It was really a relief for our city,” during an episode of “Pod Force One” with Miranda Devine.
The mayor criticized the Biden administration for failing to control the border, stating that it has cost New York taxpayers around $7.7 billion over three years—an enormous chunk of the city’s discretionary budget—resulting in a squeeze on other essential services.
Adams expressed his concerns about the ongoing costs. “That $7 billion was in crisis. It wasn’t sustainable,” he elaborated on the podcast, noting his repeated attempts to convey this to Washington without success.
The Democrat, who is running for re-election as an independent, shared how he continually called for assistance, which he believes contributed to rising tensions between him and the Biden administration.
Despite having met Biden on multiple occasions with his advisors, he humorously recalled having a “senior moment” and failing to remember key members of the president’s team, although he specifically mentioned Tom Perez.
“His team told him everything was under control. In reality, everything was chaotic,” Adams said, highlighting a significant disconnect between the administration and the ground realities in New York.
During discussions with both Biden and Governor Kathy Hochul, Adams stressed that the surge of immigrants represented a critical crisis threatening the city.
He acknowledged that among the new arrivals, there are individuals involved in violent gang activities, which pose risks to the community as they intermingle with families at large intake centers, including shelters like the Roosevelt Hotel.
Both Adams and Hochul communicated to Biden that the influx needed immediate action, asserting that the situation only worsened over time.
Discussion on Corruption Investigations
Adams brought up the corruption inquiries initiated by federal prosecutors once Biden assumed office, pondering whether the directive came directly from the president. “There’s no proof of that,” he stated, yet expressed his belief that there was indeed an instruction from Biden’s team.
He also mentioned that the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Manhattan and federal prosecutors denied any collusion regarding the investigations.
On a personal note, Adams recounted a moment from last year’s Al Smith fundraising dinner where he drew attention to the administration’s struggles. Since Trump was in office, Adams noted, “We are now seeing less than 100 asylum seekers a week, thanks to border security efforts.”
He supported U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, defending its role despite some public backlash against the agency during crackdowns on illegal activity.
Since 2022, more than 237,000 immigrants have been assisted by the city, with a peak influx of 4,000 arrivals per week, resulting in the repurposing of around 100 hotels into emergency shelters.
Adams described the challenges of this situation, emphasizing his administration’s commitment to ensuring that thousands of children received education and support amid the ongoing crisis. “It’s been an incredible feat,” he noted appreciatively, reflecting on the collective efforts during the pandemic and the immigration challenges faced by the city.
