New York Mayor Eric Adams indicted
He is the first sitting NYC mayor to be charged with a federal crime


What happened
A federal grand jury in Manhattan indicted New York City Mayor Eric Adams (D) Wednesday, according to several major news organizations. Adams, elected in 2021 and ensnared in a web of investigations that included the seizure of his electronic devices last fall, said he will not resign. He would be the first sitting New York City mayor charged with a crime.
Who said what
If "the federal government intends to charge me with federal crimes," Adams said in a video released before news of the indictment broke, "these charges will be entirely false, based on lies." He said he would seek an "immediate" trial and "fight these injustices with every ounce of my strength, and my spirit."
The charges are an "extraordinary culmination to weeks of searches, subpoenas and resignations of top officials," including Adams' police commissioner, schools chancellor, health commissioner and chief counsel, The Associated Press said. Adams, a former police captain, pledged to reduce crime and "bring professionalism to City Hall," The New York Times said, but he "staffed top positions with friends and loyalists," many of whom "became engulfed by federal investigations."
New York has had some "unseemly mayors" who "left office before their terms have actually ended," retired Baruch College political scientist Doug Muzzio said to Politico, but a "mayor with criminal charges" is a first. The Feds, he added, are "not going to indict a sitting mayor unless they have an airtight case."
What next?
The charges are expected to be unsealed today. If Adams resigns or is removed by Gov. Kathy Hochul (D), New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams would become acting mayor until a special election is held. A Hochul spokesperson said Wednesday night that it's "premature to comment further until the matter is confirmed by law enforcement."
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Venezuela: Was Trump’s air strike legal?
Feature A Trump-ordered airstrike targeted a speedboat off the coast of Venezuela, killing all 11 passengers on board
-
‘Tariffs at their essence are an income transfer’
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Why is Trump backtracking on the Hyundai immigration raid?
Today’s Big Question Backlash threatens investment in US manufacturing
-
Nadine Menendez gets 4.5 years in bribery case
Speed Read Menendez's husband was previously sentenced to 11 years in prison
-
Koreans detained in US Hyundai raid return home
Speed Read Over 300 Koreans were detained at the plant last week
-
Brazil’s Bolsonaro sentenced to 27 years for coup attempt
Speed Read Bolsonaro was convicted of attempting to stay in power following his 2022 election loss
-
Former top FBI agents sue, claiming Trump purge
Speed Read The agents alleged they were targeted by a “campaign of retribution”
-
Conservative influencer Charlie Kirk shot dead at 31
Speed Read Kirk was holding a debate session at Utah Valley University
-
Why does Trump keep interfering in the NYC mayoral race?
Today's Big Question The president has seemingly taken an outsized interest in his hometown elections, but are his efforts to block Zohran Mamdani about political expediency or something deeper?
-
Judge lets Cook stay at Fed while appealing ouster
Speed Read Trump had attempted to fire Cook over allegations of mortgage fraud
-
'Total rat eradication in New York has been deemed impossible'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day