Eric Adams Says Biden’s DOJ Used Lawfare Against Political Opponents, Compares His Case to Trump’s

Outgoing New York City Mayor Eric Adams said Monday that his own prosecution convinced him the Justice Department under former President Joe Biden engaged in what he described as political “lawfare” against opponents of the administration, including President Donald Trump, as reported by Fox News.

Adams made the remarks during an appearance on Fox News’ The Story, where he reflected on what he characterized as systemic abuse within the federal justice system during the previous administration.

“I think what we have witnessed under President Biden’s Justice Department, Americans should never have to live through that again,” Adams said during the interview.

Adams argued that federal law enforcement actions extended beyond high-profile political figures and affected ordinary citizens as well.

“You saw everyday Americans who fought for the education of their children being put on watch lists. I think that you saw what happened with Charlie Kirk, when you saw the raiding of President Trump’s home. Debates should have happened … I think that you’re seeing the clear indication that the Justice Department under the previous administration used lawfare to go after those who disagree with them,” he said.

When asked whether he felt the same level of anger about alleged DOJ weaponization before becoming a target himself, Adams said his long career in public service had already shaped his views, but that his personal case intensified them.

“Personal experience allows us to see firsthand the abuse,” Adams said.

This Could Be the Most Important Video Gun Owners Watch All Year

“I spent my entire life, not only as a police officer, but as a state senator and borough president fighting against injustices. There’s a real history, a rich history, of me standing up and fighting what the criminal justice system should never be. Yes, that anger was there long before I was a target, but what I saw happen while I was the mayor is really deplorable, and we saw what happened to President Trump’s family as well.”

Adams also referenced his early life experiences as formative in shaping his stance on criminal justice.

“If you were to go back and look at my life story on criminal justice reform and not abuse, it goes back to being a young man who was abused at the hands of law enforcement,” he said.

“And so I’ve always been a clear voice, and it really personalized it of what I was fighting for years because I experienced the lawfare myself.”

In September 2024, Adams was indicted on federal corruption charges, including bribery, wire fraud, and accepting illegal foreign campaign contributions from Turkish officials and businessmen. Adams pleaded not guilty to all charges.

The mayor has repeatedly maintained that the case was politically motivated and stemmed from his public criticism of how the Biden administration handled illegal immigration.

Prosecutors with the Southern District of New York disputed that claim in court filings, stating that the investigation began in September 2021, prior to Adams’ public criticism of federal immigration policies and before his election as mayor.

Earlier this year, the charges against Adams were dropped at the request of the Trump administration.

Adams is scheduled to leave office at the start of the new year, when Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani is set to be sworn in.

The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of LifeZette. Contact us for guidelines on submitting your own commentary.