New York Governor Opts Against Dismissing NYC Mayor
Kathy Hochul has decided not to remove Eric Adams, at least for the time being.
On February 20, New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced that she will not be taking action to remove New York City Mayor Eric Adams from his position, following discussions with various elected officials and stakeholders in the city.
“After thorough consideration, I have decided not to initiate removal proceedings at this moment,” Hochul stated during a press briefing.
“I firmly believe that respecting the will of the voters and upholding the integrity of democratic elections limit me from pursuing any alternative actions.”
The constitution of New York grants the governor the authority to remove the mayor of New York City, a power that has never been exercised.
“Reversing the will of the voters is a significant action that must be approached with caution,” Hochul remarked at that time. “Nonetheless, the alleged activities reported from City Hall over the past fortnight are troubling and warrant attention.
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“Tomorrow, I have invited key leaders to my Manhattan office for a discussion regarding our path forward, with the aim of ensuring stability for New York City.”
Both Hochul and Adams are part of the Democratic Party, with Adams campaigning for a second term. The mayoral election in New York City is scheduled for November.
In 2024, Adams faced charges related to violations of federal law, including the acceptance of unlawful campaign contributions. The U.S. Department of Justice has sought the dismissal of these charges. During a court hearing on February 19, Adams asserted his innocence to the judge.
Earlier on February 20, Adams’s aides abruptly concluded a press conference where the mayor was set to unveil a new public safety initiative after a reporter inquired about his concerns regarding potential limitations on his authority.
On February 20, Hochul conveyed her decision not to remove Adams from his role but expressed ongoing concerns about possible agreements between Adams and the Trump administration, indicating she would introduce legislation aimed at enhancing oversight of the mayor’s office.
One legislative proposal would establish a special inspector general for New York City affairs within the New York Office of the Inspector General. Another would allocate additional funding to the Office of the New York State Comptroller for the investigation of New York City’s expenditures.
Adams has been accused of agreeing to assist the federal government with illegal immigration issues in exchange for the dismissal of the charges against him. Adams, his legal team, and acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove have all contested this claim.
Oliver Mantyk contributed to this report.
