House Majority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) said Eric Adams should not resign as the Big Apple mayor faces unprecedented federal charges.
Brooklyn lawmaker on Thursday pushed back against an avalanche of other Democrats calling for Adams to resign during New Mexico's campaign shutdown, NBC News beginning reported.
When asked if Adams should resign, Jeffries answered bluntly, “No.”
“In my opinion, Mayor Adams, like other New Yorkers and other Americans, is entitled to the presumption of innocence and a trial by a jury of his peers who will ultimately decide his fate within the legal system.” You have a right,” Jeffries said. .
Mr. Jeffries' wait-and-see sentiment was echoed by other prominent black politicians and figures who are asking for patience as Mr. Adams faces federal bribery and corruption charges.
The Rev. Al Sharpton defended Adams last week, calling Gov. Kathy Hochul's potential move to remove the mayor an alleged political double standard.
Other embattled Poles, particularly former New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez, have been allowed to remain in office to fight accusations of wrongdoing, Sharpton argued.
“What we're saying is we need a set of rules,” he says.
Adams, the city's second Black mayor, has sought to drum up support from African American leaders and the community since his indictment last week.
During a press conference outside Gracie's residence after the indictment was unsealed, Adams was flanked by local black leaders, including NAACP President Hazel Dukes.
He also frequently visited black churches, telling one of his Bronx congregants: I'm going to rule. ”
But Mr. Hizzoner's appeal seemed self-serving to some black New Yorkers.
Black Lives Matter activists heckled Adams to reporters after the indictment, one of them, Hawk Newsom, calling him “an embarrassment to black people.”
“This is not a black person's problem. This is your problem,” he shouted.
