New York City Mayor Eric Adams and his supporters rejected calls for him to resign Thursday following reports that he had been indicted in federal court on corruption charges, but a group of hecklers drowned out a news conference.
Asked by reporters at the mayor's mansion why he was stepping down, Adams said there was no reason for him to do so. Some New York Democrats, including Rep. Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), had called for Adams to resign when the then-sealed indictment was reported Wednesday night.
“No, no. Listen, I'm here. I was elected by the residents of this city,” Adams told reporters. “This is an extremely resilient city. This city has been through some difficult and tough times, but we're going to continue to move forward as a city.”
Surrounded by black clergy who supported him, Adams was confronted by protesters at the media briefing before he even began speaking. Adams largely ignored their attacks and demands for him to resign, but the protests grew in number and voice as the press conference continued.
At the end of the press conference, as Adams left with his supporters, they chanted “Resign!”
“You are a disgrace to every black person in this city,” one protester said at the start of the press conference, while another called him a “disgrace.”
“This isn't Black Day. This is Justice Day,” said another critic.
At least one person in the audience shouted on Adams' behalf. Adams refrained from attacking the protesters too forcefully, but supporters who took to the microphone afterward occasionally addressed them directly.
“He will not resign. He will not quit. We support him,” said one speaker, trying to silence the vociferous protesters.
The protesters' demands for his resignation have added pressure from some local officials, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), who called for his resignation on Wednesday night.
“I do not know how Mayor Adams can continue to govern New York City. The proliferation of resignations and vacancies threatens to undermine the functioning of our government. The constant investigations make it impossible to recruit and retain a competent executive branch,” Ocasio-Cortez said in the post. On social platform X.
Adams' public comments came just after the federal criminal indictment against him was made public and just before federal prosecutors were to discuss the charges at a press conference. Adams is charged with five counts of wire fraud conspiracy, wire fraud, soliciting contributions from foreign nationals and bribery.
Adams vowed to continue serving as mayor and asked the public not to jump to judgment before hearing his defense.
“We are not surprised. We expected this,” Adams said at the start of his prepared remarks. “This is not a surprise to us at all. The actions that have unfolded over the last 10 months, the leaks, the commentary, the demonization. It was not a surprise to us that this day would come.”
“Please wait until you hear our side of this story. My lawyers will now be handling the case so I can take care of the city,” he added. “My day-to-day work will remain the same. I will continue to do the job I was elected to do on behalf of the 8.3 million citizens of New York.”
