Governor Kathy Hochul, D-N.Y., is considering the "path forward" for Mayor Eric Adams, D-N.Y., after four deputy mayors resigned following the Justice Department dropping bribery, wire fraud and conspiracy charges against him. (Getty/AP)
"I do think the mayor should resign," Lander said outside Hochul's office on Tuesday. "The mayor is not able, in my opinion, to devote his full-time and attention to the needs of New Yorkers."
NY JUDGE ORDERS ERIC ADAMS, TRUMP DOJ OFFICIALS TO COURT OVER MOTION TO DISMISS CORRUPTION CHARGES
Sharpton, the civil rights activist, said he is also concerned with Adams' ability to govern, telling Fox News Hochul will continue to deliberate with city leaders and see what the judge decides tomorrow.
U.S. District Judge Dale E. Ho ordered a status conference on Wednesday to discuss why the Justice Department filed a motion to drop indictment charges against Adams on Friday. Adams has maintained his innocence throughout legal proceedings, claiming the trial was politically motivated.
"Despite our pleas, when the federal government did nothing as its broken immigration policies overloaded our shelter system with no relief, I put the people of New York before party and politics. I always knew that if I stood my ground for all of you, that I would be a target — and a target I became," Adams said following his indictment on Sept. 27, 2024.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams speaks during a news conference outside Gracie Mansion, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024, in New York. The Mayor has been indicted after an investigation into campaign corruption. (Rashid Umar Abbasi for Fox News Digital)
Adams, who has developed a relationship with Trump and held private meetings with the president down in West Palm Beach, met with Trump's border czar Tom Homan on Friday. Homan and Adams sat for a joint interview with Fox & Friends to discuss their plans to crackdown on illegal immigration in New York City.
Homan said he would hold Adams to his commitments, telling Fox & Friends: "If he doesn't come through, I'll be back in New York City, and we won't be sitting on the couch. I'll be in his office, up his butt, saying, 'Where the hell is the agreement we came to?'"
New York City leaders did not appreciate the remark, questioning on Tuesday if Adams' was still aligned with their views on immigration.
"I'm very concerned that Mr. Homan came in here and acted like he could make Adams do what he wants, or he'd be up his butt. I can't believe someone would say that on national television," Sharpton said.
"It's one straightforward test of where his loyalties lie: with New Yorkers or with Donald Trump?" Lander added.
Pam Bondi, President-elect Donald Trump's choice to lead the Justice Department as attorney general, appears before the Senate Judiciary Committee for her confirmation hearing, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis) (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)
"She didn't seek to remove him before he was indicted. Not after the indictment, either. But the prospect of Adams not resisting enforcement of federal immigration law is just too much," Fox News contributor Byron York said in a post.
"The calls for Mayor Adams’ removal now reek of political maneuvering," What has changed since September until now? Comptroller Brad Lander must recuse himself from any discussions on the mayor’s status, including any role in the Inability Committee if it convenes. These decisions must be free from political bias. I also urge the Department of Investigation and the Conflicts of Interest Board to examine Lander’s apparent misuse of city resources. Using official letterhead and staff to draft a politically charged letter that benefits his own mayoral ambitions is a clear abuse of public trust. New Yorkers deserve better."
Hochul, who has the authority under New York State law to remove Adams as mayor, said the resignation of four deputy mayors in New York City on Monday raised "serious questions about the long-term future" of Adams’ administration.
"I recognize the immense responsibility I hold as governor and the constitutional powers granted to this office. In the 235 years of New York State history, these powers have never been utilized to remove a duly-elected mayor; 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.
Eric Adams, mayor of New York, center, during the 60th presidential inauguration in Emancipation Hall of the US Capitol in Washington, DC, US, on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. Donald Trump's Monday swearing-in marks just the second time in US history that a president lost the office and managed to return to power - a comeback cementing his place within the Republican Party as an enduring, transformational figure rather than a one-term aberration. (Al Drago/Pool via Reuters)
The deputy mayors submitted their resignations on Monday in the fallout of the Justice Department dropping Adams’ corruption case, leaving a gap in Adams’ governing ability. Torres-Springer served as First Deputy Mayor; Joshi as Deputy Mayor for Operations; Williams-Isom as Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services, and Chauncey Parker as Deputy Mayor for Public Safety.
"I spoke with First Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer to express my gratitude for her years of service to New York City," Hochul said. "She, along with Deputy Mayors Anne Williams-Isom, Meera Joshi and Chauncey Parker, have been strong partners with my Administration across dozens of key issues. If they feel unable to serve in City Hall at this time, that raises serious questions about the long-term future of this Mayoral administration."
Fox News' Kirill Clark and Kitty Le Claire contributed to this report.
Deirdre Heavey is a politics writer for Fox News Digital.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/ny-gov-hochul-weighs-decision-remove-mayor-adams