New York City Mayor Eric Adams has faced a flood of calls to resign following the announcement that he had been indicted by a grand jury on federal criminal charges.
If Adams were to resign after the indictment, he would initially be replaced by Public Defender Jumaane Williams, a progressive Democrat. The next mayoral election is not until June of next year.
Williams has been the public interest representative since 2019 and will take on the role of acting mayor.
If the charges are made public, Adams, who was sworn in in early 2022, will be the first New York City mayor to face criminal charges while still in office.
Initially, Adams was to be replaced by Public Defender Jumaane Williams, a progressive Democrat
Williams was responsible for setting a date for a special election to choose Adams’ successor, which he had to do within three days of taking office.
Williams has long been a fierce critic of Adams and has questioned his ability to govern amid mounting federal investigations.
“I don’t understand how you can continue to govern when every day more corrupt people are arrested and more suspicions of corrupt people are raised,” he said.
He criticizes the mayor’s police approach, which he considers aggressive.
After Williams, fellow Democrat and city Comptroller Brad Lander, pictured, would be third in line. Lander was Adams’ rival and planned to run for mayor next year.
Williams has also advocated for an end to solitary confinement in the city’s jails.
After Williams, fellow Democrat and city controller Brad Lander would be third in line.
Lander was Adams’ rival and planned to run for mayor the following year.
A midterm election would only be necessary if it were held 90 days before the primary election date of June 24, 2025. March 26, 2025 would be the latest possible date.
Williams would also have to set a date for the special election, which must take place at least 80 days after any transfer of power, according to the city charter.
Unlike regular mayoral elections, a special election is not party-affiliated and is entirely non-partisan. The candidates are listed only in the form of a list of names.
Voters would then rank their favorite candidates in a new “ranking system.”
Adams has always maintained that he will remain in power, pointing out that 700,000 people voted for him in the 2021 election.
“I was elected by the people of the city and I am going to fulfill my obligation to the people of this city,” he said.
If Adams refuses to step down, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, pictured, could use emergency powers to remove him from office before his term ends.
If Adams refuses to step down, New York Governor Kathy Hochul could use emergency powers to remove him from office before the end of his term.
The charges are a shocking fall for Adams, a former police chief who won election nearly three years ago to become the second black mayor of the nation’s largest city on a platform of pledging to reduce crime through law enforcement.
The indictment against Adams, a Democrat, remained sealed late Wednesday night.
“I always knew that if I took a stand for New Yorkers, I would become a target — and I was,” Adams said in a statement, saying he had not been informed of the charges.
“If I am charged, I am innocent and I will fight against this with all my strength and courage.”
It was not yet clear when the charges would be made public or when Adams would appear in court.
Earlier this month, officers stormed the homes of First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright and Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Phil Banks, in a series of raids that remain secret.
Wednesday night’s developments came days after several key allies of the mayor were targeted in raids by federal authorities.
Earlier this month, officers stormed the homes of First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright and Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Phil Banks. The raids are still secret.
Both reportedly had their electronic devices stolen, as was Adams’ in November, when his phone was stolen after a raid on the home of his campaign treasurer, Brianna Suggs.
Federal authorities say the operation was part of an investigation into the mayor’s campaign finances, after which the former chief fundraiser for Adams’ 2021 mayoral bid was given a job focused primarily on filing paperwork.
Former New York State Representative and Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer called for Adams’ resignation on Wednesday night.
“Eric Adams has been indicted. There is simply zero chance that the wheels of government will move forward after this full steam ahead. Instead, we are left with a broken down train wreck of a city government,” Stringer said.
“The mayor must resign for the good of the city. His legal battle is not our battle. While the mayor focuses on proving his innocence, the rest of us need to focus on the business of the city: building affordable housing, educating our children, and keeping this city safe.”