(The Center Square) — New York City Mayor Eric Adams is facing calls from fellow Democrats to step down in response to swirling federal investigations and resignations by top administration officials.
There are at least four ongoing federal investigations involving Adams’ administration and at least eight top aides to Adams have been served subpoenas and search warrants, according to published reports.
Over the weekend, Adams’ chief legal advisor, Lisa Zornberg, abruptly quit, saying in a letter to the mayor that she has “concluded that I can no longer effectively serve in my position.” Last week, NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban resigned, citing “recent developments” that prevent him from remaining at the helm.
The barrage of investigations and departures is prompting other New York politicians to call for Adams — a former NYPD officer once considered a rising star in the Democratic Party — to step down from office.
New York City Councilwoman Tiffany Caban posted on social media that Adams “leads with corruption and mismanagement,” noting that more than 15 of his “associates” are now under investigation.
“If his track record of cutting critical services and empowering NYPD abuse didn’t make it clear: Eric Adams is unfit to govern,” Caban, a Democrat, said. “NY deserves better. It’s time for him to resign.”
State Assemblywoman Emily Gallagher, a Brooklyn Democrat, said a New York City mayor “who surrounds himself with criminals and alleged corruption up to the very top, does not deserve our trust.”
“A corny attitude is not real charisma, not when he’s actively harming everyone in our city,” she posted on X. “The good news is we don’t have to wait — the mayor should resign.”
The swirl of investigations also provides campaign fodder for fellow Democrats challenging Adams in next year’s mayoral primary.
State Sen. Jessica Ramos, who jumped into the mayor’s race last week, hasn’t called for his resignation but pointed to the arrest of two New York Fire Department chiefs over the weekend on federal bribery and corruption charges.
“It’s one disappointment after another with this administration,” the Queens Democrat told reporters at a fundraising event. “There shouldn’t be any shortcuts for anyone, but that’s especially true of corruption at City Hall.”
Brad Lander, the city’s comptroller who is also challenging Adams, also stopped short of calling on Adams to resign but has called for “real management reforms and public integrity safeguards” at City Hall.
“The volume and frequency of alarming reports about corruption plaguing this administration has reached a fever pitch,” the Democrat posted on social media. “New Yorkers deserve honest leadership and so much better than they’re getting.”
If Adams does resign, Public Advocate Jumaane William would take over the post as interim mayor until a special election is held.
But Adams is showing no signs of stepping down. He has pointed out that he hasn’t been accused of wrongdoing and said he isn’t concerned about the optics of the federal investigations and resignations of his top aides.
“I was elected by the people of the city, and I’m going to fulfill my obligation to the people of this city,” Adams, a Democrat, told reporters at a Monday briefing, where he touted a reduction in violent crimes and other accomplishments. “We have one mission and that’s the mission of making sure that this city’s livable, affordable and safe for everyday, working class people.”
