The Blubber

Federal charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams were dismissed earlier this year, but controversy surrounding the decision continues to stir debate.

In February, the Department of Justice moved to dismiss the case, arguing that prosecuting Adams would interfere with his ability to govern the city and, in doing so, threaten “federal immigration initiatives and policies.” The DOJ requested that the case be “dismissed without prejudice,” meaning it could potentially be refiled in the future.

The move sent shockwaves through New York. Critics argued that the terms of the dismissal—especially the possibility of the charges being revived—left the mayor of the nation's largest city politically vulnerable and beholden to President Donald Trump.

On Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Dale Ho appeared to share those concerns.

“To the extent that the Government may be seeking to extract policy concessions from the Mayor, dismissal with prejudice rather than continuation of the prosecution best addresses that concern,” Judge Ho wrote in a 78-page ruling.
“It ensures that, going forward, the charges in the Indictment cannot be used as leverage over Mayor Adams or the City of New York.”

A spokesperson for the Department of Justice pushed back on the judge’s ruling, calling it “an example of political weaponization and a waste of resources.”

“We are focused on arresting and prosecuting terrorists while returning the Department of Justice to its core mission of keeping Americans safe,” the spokesperson said in a statement to NBC News.

Speaking to reporters outside Gracie Mansion on Wednesday afternoon, Mayor Adams responded to the judge’s order, repeating his assertion that the corruption charges against him were “baseless” and apologizing to New Yorkers for the ordeal.

“I want you to know that I never stopped working for you,” Adams said.
“Not for one day, not for one hour, not for one minute—because you are who I think about every morning. You are my North Star.”

He ended his brief statement by thanking Jesus and holding up a copy of Government Gangsters by FBI Director Kash Patel. Adams urged New Yorkers to read the book to “understand how we can never allow this to happen to another innocent American.”