Kathy Hochul Reportedly Will NOT Remove NYC Eric Adams Amid Trump DOJ Scandal

(AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

New York Governor Kathy Hochul (D) will not remove NYC Mayor Eric Adams (D) amid ongoing accusations that he is engaged in a “quid pro quo” with the Trump administration to drop the charges against him, reported the New York Times on Thursday.

The Times cited “two officials familiar with her thinking” to report that instead, Hochul will “seek to impose strict new guardrails on his administration.”

“Ms. Hochul’s actions could curtail the mayor’s independence at a time when he is battling accusations that he entered a coercive arrangement with the Trump administration in exchange for the federal corruption charges he faces being dropped. It could also further damage his re-election prospects this year, even as it makes it more likely that he will be allowed to serve the remainder of his term,” reported the Times.

Pressure from Trump DOJ officials on U.S. Attorneys and other prosecutors to drop charges against Adams has led to an avalanche of resignations in the Justice Department.

Had Hochul removed Adams it would have been a first in the 235 years of New York State history. “Overturning the will of the voters is a serious step that should not be taken lightly. That said, the alleged conduct at City Hall that has been reported over the past two weeks is troubling and cannot be ignored,” Hochul said in a statement on Monday.

Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, who has run against Hochul in the past, would become acting mayor if Adams were to be removed and place him in a prominent position ahead of the upcoming mayor race.

The Times added some additional details to the restrictions Hochul is looking at putting on Adams, who was indicted on corruption charges related to gifts from Turkey. “The steps Ms. Hochul plans to propose include creating a new state deputy inspector general dedicated to New York City; establishing a fund for the city comptroller, public advocate and City Council speaker to hire outside counsel to sue the federal government if the mayor is unwilling to do so; and granting additional funds for the state’s comptroller to scrutinize city finances,” added the report.