Source: Pacific Press / Getty
New York City Mayor Eric Adams may be looking for a pardon from Donald Trump, but there are considerable political risks for him.
The return of Donald Trump to the White House has created a conundrum for New York City Mayor Eric Adams. Adams could find himself as the beneficiary of sympathy from the president-elect as he faces federal corruption charges, but actively courting favor from Trump would put him squarely against his own political party.
The tension surrounding that situation was evident to all during a press conference held on Wednesday by Adams and his staff after the election results were released. The mayor stressed that they would work with the incoming federal administration. “We will work with the new administration and Congress to develop a realistic and compassionate national strategy for our immigration system,” he said. When asked about Trump’s victory and the effect it could have on his court case, Adams simply smirked and refused to answer as he left the podium.
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Trump mentioned Adams’ case at the Alfred E. Smith dinner in the city last month. “I just want to be nice because I know what it’s like to be persecuted by the DOJ for speaking out against open borders,” Trump said then. “We were persecuted, Eric. I was persecuted, and so were you.” He has previously pardoned high-level Democratic politicians who’ve run afoul of the law – former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich and former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick.
Adding to the pressure-filled situation is the fact that Trump and Adams both enjoy friendships with noted Republican backers including former mayoral candidate and billionaire John Catsimatidis and radio host Sid Rosenberg (who offered to be a go-between the two). “Do you protect New York as a sanctuary city, or do you consider your own liberty in that equation?” said Basil Smikle, a former Democratic strategist and current Columbia University professor. “What’s going to win out?”
With an estimated half-million undocumented immigrants living in New York City and over 210,000 migrants who’ve arrived since 2022, Trump’s vow of mass deportation looms larger. Adams has clashed with the Biden administration and members of his own city council and the Democrats over their handling of migrants. Observers have noted that the situation could reflect on his upcoming primary. “There may be an interest in having more progressive leadership or at least a leadership that isn’t bogged down by these investigations,” Smilke stated.