During Saturday's Labor Day Parade, angry onlookers blasted Mayor Adams over a series of federal investigations into his administration, while Gov. Hockle and other politicians snubbed Mr. Hizzoner during the sparsely attended parade.
“FBI, Mayor Adams is right there!” a female spectator yelled as the march crossed West 46th Street and Fifth Avenue.
“He's here and he probably has his phone! Bring him here!” the woman continued.
Adams ignored the agitator, who vented his anger at others in the crowd: “Oh, I hate the mayor.”
Democratic politicians, including Governor Hawke, New York Attorney General Letitia James, Senator Chuck Schumer and City Comptroller Brad Lander, made sure to keep their distance from the mayor during the parade down Fifth Avenue.
Marching at the front of the group of dignitaries, James and Hawkle looked at home, smiling and laughing at each other, while Adams, ironically wearing a navy blue LOVE baseball cap, sulked a few rows back. At one point, Adams was about 25 feet away from Hawkle, flanked on either side by Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine and Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr.
During the photo pose before the parade began, Hawkle and Adams didn't engage in small talk and instead stood on either side of the group gathered to have their picture taken.
In last year's parade, Mr. Hawkle and Mr. Adams marched just a few feet apart.
The cold response came just days after federal agents raided Adams' inner circle and the NYPD in a shocking series of raids.
Federal agents on Wednesday searched the home of Police Commissioner Edward Cabana, whose twin brother is a questionable former NYPD sergeant under investigation for allegedly working as a “fixer” for high-end nightlife venues, according to sources.
Sources said James Cavan, 56, helped coordinate any issues between the companies and police surrounding the violations and was also served with search warrants and subpoenas by the federal government.
The investigation is being led by the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, who is also investigating senior aides to Mayor Adams in tandem with a separate probe into his 2021 campaign finances, the people said.
Other Adams city officials affected in searches this week included Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Phil Banks, Schools Superintendent David Banks and First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright, who were served by federal agents who showed up with search warrants and seized their electronic devices, law enforcement sources said.
The federal government also issued a cellphone subpoena to another close Adams aide, former New York Police Department Capt. Timothy Pearson, according to people familiar with the matter.
Asked about the federal investigation, James declined to comment, while Hoekl fled from a Washington Post reporter who tried to question him about the probe.
Speaking to a Post reporter, the mayor reiterated his support for his top police officer and urged New Yorkers to wait for the investigation to be completed, amid calls for Officer Cavan's resignation following the search of his home.
Don Pollard/Office Governor Hoffl
“We are strong believers in due process in this country,” he said. “Let's see it through to the end.”
Hizzoner, meanwhile, dismissed concerns that New Yorkers were losing faith in their administration amid a growing number of investigations involving his staff and aides.
“The real test of a man … is whether he can keep going when there’s so much going on around him,” he told the Post. “I’ve shown I have the ability to do that.
“Ten months ago we first learned that a Turkish review was taking place, but it has not hindered our city's progress… We will always survive.”
