Even before Mayor Eric Adams was indicted in a federal corruption investigation, elected officials had been calling for him to step down.
But as news broke Wednesday night, a slew of opponents and other left-leaning Democrats added their voice to the chorus demanding Adams step aside — while a number of high-profile Democrats remained silent.
Adams has promised to fight the charges, insisting he was targeted for his criticism of the Biden administration’s handling of the migrant crisis.
If he were to step down, he’d follow several key members of his administration who have resigned or announced exits in the wake of a sprawling number of ongoing probes of the inner circle of City Hall.
Avi Small, a spokesperson for Gov. Kathy Hochul, who has the power to oust Adams, said the governor was “aware of these concerning news reports” and was “monitoring the situation.”
“It would be premature to comment further until the matter is confirmed by law enforcement,” Small said.
High-ranking federal New York elected Democrats including House Speaker Hakeem Jeffries and U.S. Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand hadn’t commented publically on the matter as of late Wednesday. Neither had State Senate Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, or Speaker Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie.
So far, the majority of the lawmakers calling for Adams’ resignation have been progressive Democrats, in offices at the city, state, and national levels. Among them are:
City Comptroller Brad Lander
On Wednesday night, after the news broke of Adams’ indictment, Comptroller Brad Lander said on X that Eric Adams should resign.
“The most appropriate path forward is for him to step down so that New York City can get the full focus its leadership demands,” Lander said.
Lander is planning on challenging Adams for mayor in 2025 and would also be a member of the “inability committee,” which could be formed in an attempt to force Adams to leave office.
Other electeds who would serve on an inability committee — if it were formed, according to the rules of the City Charter — include City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, and Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, who has served in his office longer than any other borough president. Neither one had weighed in publicly as of late Wednesday evening or returned requests for comment right away.
Several other opponents planning to challenge Adams in the Democratic primary next spring swiftly demanded Adams resignation, including former comptroller Scott Stringer, State Senator Zellnor Myrie, and State Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani. State Senator Jessica Ramos stopped short of calling for Adams to resign, saying “a new day for our city is long overdue.”
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-The Bronx/Queens)
Hours ahead of Wednesday’s indictment, Ocasio-Cortez called for Mayor Adams’ resignation in a statement to the New York Times, making her the first member of New York’s congressional delegation to do so.
“The flood of resignations and vacancies are threatening government function,” Ocasio-Cortez told the Times. “Nonstop investigations will make it impossible to recruit and retain a qualified administration.”
“For the good of the city,” Ocasio-Cortez continued, “he should resign.”
The representative became the most prominent elected official to call for Adams’ recognition before news of his indictment surfaced.
State representatives
State senators who have called on Adams to resign include: Gustavo Rivera (D-The Bronx), Jabari Brisport (D-Brooklyn), Julia Salazar (D-Brooklyn/Queens), Brad Hoylman-Sigal (D-Manhattan) and John Liu (D-Queens).
State Assembly members include: Emily Gallagher (D-Brooklyn), Karines Reyes (D-Bronx), Danny O’Donnell, Robert Carroll (D-Brooklyn), Phara Souffrant Forrest (D-Brooklyn) and Tony Simone (D-Manhattan).
City Council members include: Alexa Avilés (D-Brooklyn), Tiffany Cabán (D-Queens), Chi Ossé (D-Brooklyn), Lincoln Restler (D-Brooklyn), Sandy Nurse (D-Brooklyn) and Shahana Hanif (D-Brooklyn).
Councilmember Robert Holden (D-Queens), a right-leaning Democrat who previously ran as a Republican, also joined the left-leaning lawmakers calling for Adams resignation.
