NYC Mayor Claims He Did Not Talk About Legal Case with Trump at Florida Meeting
Adams expressed his aspiration to strengthen the partnership with the incoming government in order to make New York City “safer, stronger, and more affordable.”
New York City Mayor Eric Adams stated on Friday that he had conversations about several important topics with President-elect Donald Trump during a recent meeting in Florida, although the discussion did not include the mayor’s corruption allegations.
The Democratic mayor visited Florida on Friday to meet with the president-elect, just days before Trump’s inauguration on January 20.
Topics included the positive effects of the Gaza cease-fire agreement on U.S. public safety, initiatives to bring back manufacturing jobs to New York, particularly in the Bronx, and federal support for the city.
However, the mayor was clear that his legal issues were not on the agenda.
“Let me be clear, we did not discuss my legal case, and those who argue that the mayor of the largest city in the nation shouldn’t meet with the incoming president to address our city’s priorities due to unfounded speculation or our different party affiliations are clearly prioritizing politics over the needs of the people,” he asserted.
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Adams expressed gratitude to the president-elect for the discussion and reiterated his goal to enhance collaboration with the incoming government to make New York City “safer, stronger, and more affordable.”
These remarks come amid rising speculation that the purpose of the meeting was to explore a potential presidential pardon concerning the corruption charges he faces.
City Comptroller Brad Lander, who is running against Adams in the Democratic mayoral primary, has urged the mayor to “immediately declare that he will not pursue or accept a pardon from Donald Trump.”
Former City Comptroller Scott Stringer, another candidate in the New York City mayoral race, also expressed skepticism regarding the intent of Adams’s meeting with the president-elect.
“I said he’s going to be indicted, and a few months later, he got indicted,” Trump claimed during a Mar-a-Lago press conference on December 16, 2024. “I would certainly consider it.”
When asked about the possibility of a pardon, Trump responded, “Yes, I would. I believe he was treated quite unfairly.”
The mayor was indicted in September 2024 on bribery and corruption charges related to events from 2014. The accusations include accepting luxurious international travel from a Turkish government official and receiving unlawful contributions to his 2021 mayoral campaign.
Adams has pleaded not guilty and denied any misconduct. His trial is scheduled for April.
Following the mayor’s indictment, New York City Deputy Mayor Philip Banks, NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban, and Adams’s close aide, Timothy Pearson, resigned amid the federal investigation into the mayor’s alleged illegal campaign activities.
Matt McGregor contributed to this report.
