The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has ordered federal prosecutors to drop criminal charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, a Democrat who has recently cultivated a close relationship with President Donald Trump.
The decision, outlined in a two-page memo obtained by The Associated Press, cites concerns about “prejudicial pretrial publicity” and the need for Adams to focus on addressing illegal immigration and violent crime in New York City.
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Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove, a former prosecutor in the Manhattan U.S. Attorney’s Office, directed that the case be dismissed without prejudice, meaning charges could potentially be refiled in the future.
Bove emphasized that the decision was not a reflection of the case’s merits or the prosecutors who brought it but was instead motivated by the “integrity of the proceedings” and the need to avoid further distractions for Adams.
“The timing of the charges and more recent actions by the former U.S. attorney who led the office, Damian Williams, have threatened the integrity of the proceedings,” Bove wrote. He added that the prosecution had “unduly restricted” Adams’ ability to “devote full attention and resources to the illegal immigration and violent crime that has escalated under the policies of the prior Administration.”
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The charges against Adams stemmed from allegations that he accepted bribes in the form of free or discounted travel and illegal campaign contributions while serving as Brooklyn Borough President. Prosecutors accused Adams of accepting over $100,000 in perks, including luxury hotel stays, first-class flight upgrades, and even a trip to a bathhouse, from a Turkish official who later sought favors from the mayor.
The indictment also alleged that Adams personally directed campaign staffers to solicit foreign donations, which were then disguised to qualify for a city program that matches small-dollar donations with public funds. Federal law prohibits foreign nationals from contributing to U.S. election campaigns.
The dismissal comes after months of speculation that Trump’s DOJ might intervene in the case. In December, Trump hinted at the possibility of a pardon for Adams, telling reporters that the mayor had been “treated pretty unfairly.” Trump also claimed, without evidence, that Adams was being targeted for criticizing former President Joe Biden’s immigration policies.
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Adams, who initially positioned himself as a critic of Trump, has shifted his tone in recent months, praising the Republican president and his hardline immigration agenda. In January, Adams flew to Florida to meet with Trump, though he later denied discussing his criminal case or a potential pardon. “I’m looking forward to the next four years of having a president that loves the city like I love this city,” Adams said after the meeting.
Trump has expressed solidarity with Adams, drawing parallels between their legal troubles. “I know what it’s like to be persecuted by the DOJ, for speaking out against open borders,” Trump said at a Manhattan event attended by Adams in October. “We were persecuted, Eric. I was persecuted, and so are you, Eric.”
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