New York City Mayor Eric Adams has hypothesized that he drew the ire of the Justice Department for speaking out against the Biden administration's immigration policies.
Adams was indicted by a federal grand jury in September and charged with five crimes, including bribery, solicitation of campaign contributions from foreign nationals, wire fraud, and conspiracy. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
“I haven't broken any laws. I've done nothing wrong. That's how I live my life, and that's how I'm going to continue to live my life,” Adams said. He said this in a sit-down interview with a Fox News anchor on Wednesday. “The Story” by Martha McCallum.
FBI raids homes of close associates of New York Mayor Eric Adams
New York City Mayor Eric is flanked by Vice Mayor Sheena Wright (left) and advisor Ingrid Lewis Martin during his weekly in-person press conference in the Blue Room of City Hall on March 5, 2024 in New York City.・Adams. (Luis C. Ribeiro/New York Daily News/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
He called the timing of the charges “clearly questionable” and vowed to continue fighting for what he believes is right.
Damien Williams, United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, said in a statement: time the indictment was released Adams “abused his position as the city's highest elected official and, prior to that, as Brooklyn Borough President, to accept bribes and solicit illegal campaign contributions,” the lawsuit said.
“By allegedly obtaining unfair and illegal benefits from foreign nationals, including by allowing a Manhattan skyscraper to open without fire safety inspections, Adams has put the interests of his backers, including foreign officials, ahead of those of his constituents.” ,” the statement reads in part. .
At a press conference, Mayor Adams announced a new limit on the length of stay for adult immigrants/asylum seekers in the city's shelters to 60 days. (Luis C. Ribeiro, NY Daily News, via Getty Images)
Mr. McCollum asked the New York mayor if he was concerned about what the FBI would reveal in its investigation following the incident involving his chief of staff. resigned earlier this week She will reportedly face criminal charges.
“No,” Adams said curtly. “They all have lawyers, and I don't want to do anything that jeopardizes their cases. But I have told my team that we will follow the law, and we are doing so.” It's about following the law. I didn't spend $22.” I spent years as a police officer cracking down on lawbreakers. ”
Adams' former aide was indicted in October on charges of witness tampering and destroying evidence. he is said to have deleted The encrypted communication app “Signal” from his cell phone was reportedly used to communicate with the mayor.
President-elect Donald Trump said he would consider pardoning Adams during a question from reporters at a Mar-a-Lago press conference earlier this week.
“Yeah, I think he was treated pretty unfairly. I don't see the severity of it now, but you know, it's like an upgrade on the plane years ago,” Trump said. spoke.
Most New Yorkers want indicted Mayor Eric Adams to resign: poll
Adams said he was not asking the incoming 47th president for a pardon, and that during their conversation they simply discussed his love for New York City and how they might work together.
President-elect Donald Trump arrives for a press conference at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport on Friday, October 25, 2024, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
“I'm working with the president and his administration, not fighting him. I say those words over and over again. And my lawyer is a good lawyer. He pursues justice. I should not have been prosecuted,'' Adams said.
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“No American should have to go through what I'm going through right now. This country believes in fairness, and what I'm going through is the same.”[ing] It's not just a professional tragedy. It's a personal tragedy. ”
