Several black lawmakers warned Democratic New York Gov. Kathy Hochul of possible political fallout should she remove Democratic New York City Mayor Eric Adams from office, according to a letter.
The eight state legislators — led by Democratic New York State Assemblywoman Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn — wrote Tuesday to Hochul that they had learned the governor was considering removing Adams, according to a letter Politico reporter Jeff Coltin shared to X.
“At this critical moment for our city, we want to be crystal clear: we strongly oppose any move to remove Mayor Adams,” the letter read. “As Black legislators we have seen this over and over again: double standards and unfair process when it comes to our leaders.”
The lawmakers seemingly implied in the letter that such a move could damage Hochul’s standing with their constituents. “If a move against the mayor is made without a justifiable legal reason, our communities will never forget it,” they claimed.
Hochul previously said she intends to run for a second term as governor in 2026.
The lawmakers told Hochul they could see “no constitutional reason” for Adams to be removed and said New Yorkers should be left to decide Adams’ fate during the mayoral election in June.
“To keep New York moving forward, we strongly advocate for allowing the Mayor to remain at the helm,” they wrote. “New York City, working people, and communities of color are far better off with the consistency of the sitting mayor.”
Eight Black state legislators ask Hochul not to remove Adams – “our communities will never forget it” if she does and she should leave it up to voters.
Led by Brooklyn Dems leader Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, list also includes lawmakers close to Jeffries and Meeks. pic.twitter.com/gLNhb3apEe
— Jeff Coltin (@JCColtin) February 19, 2025
Hochul said Monday she was considering the unprecedented step of removing Adams from office, CBS News’s Face the Nation reported.
The letter from the lawmakers follows Hochul’s statement and the resignation Monday of four top officials in Adams’ administration over the mayor’s alleged quid pro quo with President Donald Trump’s administration, according to the outlet. Adams is alleged to have indicated that he would cooperate with Trump’s push for the deportation of criminal illegal immigrants in exchange for the dismissal of the corruption charges against him.
New York City has been a sanctuary city for illegal immigrants — although its website announcing that status appears to be no longer functioning.
Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove of the Department of Justice (DOJ) ordered then-acting Attorney for the Southern District of New York (SDNY) Danielle Sassoon to dismiss all charges against Adams without prejudice Feb. 10., alleging that potential biases could jeopardize the judicial process. Bove added that he did not seek to impugn the integrity of the prosecutors who brought the case against the mayor.
Sassoon and several other SDNY prosecutors refused and resigned shortly afterward.
Charged with one count of wire fraud, two counts of solicitation of a contribution by a foreign national, one count of bribery and another count of “conspiracy to commit wire fraud, federal program bribery, and to receive campaign contributions by foreign nationals,” Adams pleaded not guilty. (RELATED: Democratic Councilman Caught On Camera Allegedly Taking Wads Of Cash Bribes Cruises To Reelection)
Adams was scheduled to face Judge Dale E. Ho regarding his case Wednesday, FOX 5 New York reported.
Adams and Bove appeared before Judge Ho as scheduled, with Bove confirming in court that the DOJ sought to dismiss the case against Adams to help the mayor focus on supporting the federal government’s deportation enforcement, according to ABC News. Ho did not immediately grant the motion to dismiss the charges.
“To exercise my discretion properly, I’m not gonna shoot from the hip right here on the bench,” Ho said, according to FOX 5 New York’s Morgan McKay.
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