During his successful 2021 mayoral campaign, Eric Adams famously declared himself: “The Future of the Democratic Party”
But as we head into 2025, that future is in question.
This year will be a challenging year for Adams, both politically and personally. Mr. Adams faces explosive federal corruption charges and a tough re-election bid.
Adams' approval rating dropped to a staggering 26% last month, with 69% of New Yorkers saying he should resign and 80% of Democrats saying he should run for a second term in 2025. I don't think so. According to the Marist poll.
But some people still haven't counted out the former cop.
“New Yorkers have a genuine interest in strengthening our economy, reducing crime, and making our city a better place to live, and Mayor Adams has achieved major victories on all of these fronts,” said Brooklyn Democrat Rodney Bichot Hermelin. the party leader said.
Here are some of the challenges facing Hizzoner in 2025.
federal corruption trial
Adams was indicted in September on charges of accepting bribes from foreign sources and making illegal campaign contributions, making him the first sitting mayor in New York City's history to be charged with a federal crime.
He has pleaded not guilty, vowed to continue serving, and is scheduled to go to trial in April.
crowded demo field
The centrist mayor joined prominent left-leaning Democrats in June, including Comptroller Brad Lander, former Comptroller Scott Stringer, Queens Sen. Jessica Ramos, and Brooklyn Sen. Zellner Miley. He faces a tough primary election.
His biggest challenge could come from former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a fellow centrist who resigned in 2021 following a sexual misconduct scandal but is seeking a political comeback.
new york city immigration crisis
The Adams administration is overwhelmed by more than 226,900 illegal immigrants and other border crossers arriving in the Big Apple since April 2022, the vast majority seeking immediate shelter.
As of mid-December, the city's immigration budget had reached $6.5 billion, as workloads, including overtime, skyrocketed across various city agencies.
Adams is seeking to ease some of the burden by imposing 60-day and 30-day shelter stay limits on families and adults who, as a result, stay in taxpayer-funded shelters within the city. The number of immigrants has now fallen to 53,800, down from more than 65,000 a year ago. December 15th.
But even as President-elect Donald Trump is expected to crack down on criminal immigration, including more than 58,000 people in New York City, the issue remains a sticking point for him heading into 2025.
new york city homelessness crisis
The influx of migrants continues, with more than 112,700 people living in taxpayer-funded shelters as of December 15.
This does not include the more than 4,100 homeless people living unsheltered on the streets and in crime-ridden subways. The number of unsheltered homeless people in the city is at its highest in nearly 20 years.
Earlier this month, the City Council passed Adams' controversial and ambitious “City of Yes” plan to address the affordability crisis by building 80,000 new homes over the next 15 years.
But there is no immediate relief in sight. The city currently has contracts with more than 150 hotels that have been converted into homeless shelters for immigrants rather than tourists.
city council collision
Adams and the council's far-left majority have been at odds since he took office, and lawmakers did not nominate him as council president.
Since then, a tug-of-war over political power has ensued, including vetoes, overrides and duels to change the city charter.
Meanwhile, Adams and the council will face off in court in 2025.
Earlier this month, the City Council accused Adams of abusing his mayoral power by issuing a mayoral order that ignored a controversial ban on solitary confinement in city jails.
president trump
Although Mr. Adams will continue to face pressure from Democrats and left-wing media to avoid the Republican Party, the foundations for a successful working relationship between Mr. Trump and Mr. Adams are in place.
In recent weeks, Mr. Adams has taken a tougher stance on the city's sanctuary status, in line with President Trump's goal of deporting criminal immigrants.
And Mr. Hizner, who has not decided to return to the Republican Party, may need Mr. Trump's help if he is convicted on pending corruption charges. Earlier this month, President Trump said he would consider pardoning Adams if necessary because “he has been treated very unfairly.”
Governor Hochul
Hochul has the power to remove mayors in the state under a rarely applied state law.
The governor has so far refused to expel the embattled Adams, in part because it would alienate prominent black leaders who have rallied behind him. Also, his political rival and former boss, Mr. Cuomo, is prepared to jump into the mayoral race.
But Mr. Hochul still pressured Mr. Adams from behind the scenes to clean house if he wanted to keep his job. Since Mr. Adams' indictment, several City Hall employees affected by the tumultuous federal investigation have resigned or been forced to leave, people told the Post in October.
NYPD cleaning
Although overall crime declined under Adams, a series of scandals tarnished the police department's reputation.
Just last week, New York Police Department Commissioner Jeffrey Madrid, a close friend of Mr. Adams, abruptly resigned after the Post exposed explosive allegations that Mr. Adams solicited sexual favors from subordinates in exchange for large amounts of overtime. .
Rikers Island
Despite opposition from the Adams administration, the violence-plagued city jail on Rikers Island is in serious jeopardy of being placed under federal court control.
Mr. Adams announced the mandated plan he inherited to close Rikers by August 2027 and replace it with four smaller, more humane closures in each borough except Staten Island. Execution is far behind.
