Washington/New York: The U.S. Justice Department has directed federal prosecutors in New York to drop corruption charges against New York Mayor Eric Adams, citing concerns that the case was hindering his ability to support President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement agenda.
In a memo obtained by Reuters, Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove instructed the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Manhattan to dismiss the charges. He emphasized that the decision was not based on the merits of the case and did not question the integrity of the prosecutors involved. Instead, Bove argued that the September 2024 indictment—filed during former President Joe Biden’s administration—was interfering with Adams’ 2025 mayoral re-election campaign and detracting from his ability to assist the federal government on immigration enforcement.
“The pending prosecution has unduly restricted Mayor Adams’ ability to devote full attention and resources to… illegal immigration and violent crime,” Bove wrote. Notably, Bove, a former personal attorney for Trump and a political appointee, played a key role in the decision.
Trump, who has made cracking down on illegal immigration and ramping up deportations central to his second-term agenda, appears to have taken Adams’ potential cooperation into consideration. However, Bove insisted in his memo that the decision to withdraw the charges was not contingent upon Adams’ support for federal immigration enforcement.
Justice Department’s Unprecedented Intervention
The Justice Department’s directive represents a highly unusual intervention in a criminal case brought by the Southern District of New York (SDNY), a prosecutorial office known for its independence from political influence in Washington, D.C.
Despite the Justice Department’s directive, prosecutors have not yet signaled their intent to withdraw the case, according to court records reviewed on Monday evening. Nicholas Biase, a spokesperson for the Manhattan U.S. Attorney’s Office, declined to comment on the matter.
Adams, a Democrat, was indicted in September 2024 on five counts, including allegations of accepting travel perks from Turkish officials and receiving illegal political contributions from foreign sources in exchange for favorable actions toward Turkey. He has pleaded not guilty and has consistently denied the charges.
Adams, 64, has claimed that the indictment was politically motivated, alleging that Biden’s administration unfairly targeted him in retaliation for his criticism of federal immigration policies. New York City has struggled with an influx of migrants, a challenge Adams has repeatedly urged Washington to address.
Bove’s memo appeared to lend credence to Adams’ claims, stating, “It cannot be ignored that Mayor Adams criticized the prior Administration’s immigration policies before the charges were filed.”
Following the directive, Adams’ defense attorney, Alex Spiro, responded in a statement: “As I said from the outset, the mayor is innocent—and he would prevail. Today he has.”
Adams’ Relationship with Trump and the Political Fallout
Adams, a former police captain, initially aligned himself closely with Biden when he took office in 2022. However, he later distanced himself, publicly pressuring the administration to provide more funding to help New York handle the migrant crisis.
His shifting political stance has led to speculation about his relationship with Trump. Adams attended Trump’s inauguration on January 20, fueling rumors that he was seeking a pardon. Trump, who has himself faced multiple criminal indictments, has expressed sympathy for Adams, suggesting that he was politically targeted.
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In December, before taking office for his second term, Trump stated that he would consider issuing a pardon for Adams.
In response, SDNY prosecutors maintained in a recent court filing that their case against Adams was not politically motivated. They noted that the investigation began over a year before Adams started publicly criticizing Biden’s immigration policies.
Concerns Over Justice Department’s Independence
The Justice Department’s decision has ignited concerns about political interference in the judicial process. Critics argue that Trump’s influence over federal law enforcement agencies is undermining their traditional independence.
Michael Weinstein, a former federal prosecutor uninvolved in the case, described the directive as a troubling precedent. “Sadly, this is another example of the convulsions occurring within the DOJ and FBI and the politicized nature of current decision-making,” he said.
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Bove’s memo also left open the possibility that the case against Adams could be revived in the future. He instructed prosecutors to withdraw the charges only if Adams agreed to the condition that they might be refiled. Ultimately, Trump’s nominee for the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, will have the authority to decide whether to reinstate the case after his expected Senate confirmation and following the November 4, 2025, New York mayoral election.
Adams’ trial is scheduled to begin on April 21, ahead of the Democratic primary in June for the New York City mayoral race, where he faces multiple challengers. Even if the case is dismissed, the allegations could have lasting political consequences, as several Democratic contenders have entered the race, aiming to unseat him.
