Cuomo dismisses nursing home scandal, blames Trump’s 'MAGA line' for COVID controversy

Former federal prosecutor breaks down DOJ probe into Andrew Cuomo

Former federal prosecutor Katie Cherkasky discusses the DOJ launching a criminal probe into former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo on 'Sunday Night in America.'

Nine Democratic candidates took the stage in New York City Wednesday for the first of two debates ahead of the June 24 mayoral primary, and the claws were out for former Gov. Andrew Cuomo. 

Cuomo's COVID-19 scandal was front and center just minutes into the debate as moderators asked the candidates how they would stand up to President Donald Trump if elected mayor.

The former governor dismissed the legitimacy of the Justice Department's investigation into his alleged false congressional testimony about decisions made during COVID-19 when pressed by moderator Sally Goldenberg of Politico. 

"That's the Trump line, the MAGA line, because this was during the Trump re-election," Cuomo said when asked repeatedly whether he had a role in producing a contested COVID-19 report. 

ANDREW CUOMO THE BIGGEST TARGET AS NEW YORK CITY MAYORAL PRIMARY SHIFTS INTO HIGH GEAR

Andrew Cuomo, candidate for New York City mayor, during a Democratic mayoral primary debate in New York Wednesday, June 4, 2025.  (Yuki Iwamura/AP Photo/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Cuomo said the Justice Department's investigation is another example of the pandemic's game of "political football."

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"This is what Mr. Trump does, right? He started an investigation against me, against Kathy Hochul, against Sen. Chuck Schumer, against Hillary Clinton. This is one of his tactics," Cuomo said. 

Also joining Cuomo on the debate stage Wednesday night were City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, city Comptroller Brad Lander, former city Comptroller Scott Stringer, former state Assemblyman Michael Blake from the Bronx, state Sen. Zellnor Myrie from Brooklyn, state Sen. Jessica Ramos from Queens and former hedge fund executive Whitney Tilson.

The winner of the Democratic Party mayoral primary will be seen as the overwhelming favorite to win November's general election in the blue city. Early voting in the Democratic primary for mayor of New York City begins June 14 and runs through June 22.

Cuomo is the clear polling and fundraising frontrunner in the Democratic primary given his name recognition and experience.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams is running for re-election as an independent this year.  (AP/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, who has found unlikely common ground with the Trump administration in efforts to combat illegal immigration, is running as an independent. The Justice Department made the unusual decision earlier this year to dismiss an indictment against Adams on federal corruption charges.

"I know how to deal with Donald Trump because I've dealt with him before," Cuomo said on the debate stage. 

Cuomo touted his experience as governor, particularly in challenging Trump's agenda during his first term as president. 

"I am the last person on this stage that Mr. Trump wants to see as mayor, and that's why I should be the first choice for the people of this city to have as mayor," Cuomo said. 

(Left to right): Democratic mayoral candidates Brad Lander, Jessica Ramos, Zellnor Myrie, Andrew Cuomo, Whitney Tilson and Zohran Mamdani participate in a Democratic mayoral primary debate at NBC's 30 Rockefeller Center studios in New York June 4, 2025. (Yuki Iwamura/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)

When again pressed by the moderators and his competitors, Cuomo said he told Congress the truth about the number of nursing home deaths in New York during COVID-19, the basis of the Department of Justice's investigation. 

"No, I told Congress the truth," Cuomo said. "No, we did not undercount any deaths."

Still, Cuomo refused to answer whether he was involved in the production of the contested COVID-19 report. 

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The former governor was grilled by Republican lawmakers last year about his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. House Republicans subsequently recommended the Justice Department pursue criminal charges against him. They accused him of intentionally lying to Congress during the House Oversight Committee’s investigation into the excessive number of nursing home deaths.

Fox News Digital's Paul Steinhauser and Greg Wehner contributed to this report. 

Deirdre Heavey is a politics writer for Fox News Digital.