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By: Jared Evan
President-elect Donald Trump said Monday he would consider issuing a pardon for New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who faces a federal investigation into allegations of corruption and bribery. Speaking during a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago resort, Trump suggested Adams had been unfairly targeted.
“Yeah, I would,” Trump said when asked about a potential pardon. “I think that he was treated pretty unfairly.”
Adams is accused of soliciting illegal campaign contributions from foreign entities, falsifying records to cover the transactions, and defrauding taxpayers of $10 million over the last decade. Prosecutors also allege the mayor accepted free or heavily discounted luxury vacations funded by foreign benefactors.
Trump appeared to minimize the allegations against Adams, particularly the claims surrounding luxury travel perks. The litany of charges against Mayor Adams all began unfolding after the Mayor called for a meeting with President Biden in regards to the illegal migrant crisis, and was basically ignored by the far left, Biden,
“Being upgraded in an airplane many years ago? I doubt if there’s anyone here who hasn’t been upgraded,” Trump remarked. “They see you’re a star, and they want to upgrade you — that’s hardly a reason to spend the rest of your life in prison.”
Trump suggested that Adams was being targeted because of his strong stance on illegal immigration and the challenges it has created for New York City.
“I said, ‘He’s going to be indicted,’” Trump claimed. “And a few months later, he got indicted.”
Last week, Adams met with Tom Homan, Trump’s pick for “border czar” and a former acting ICE director, to discuss New York City’s migrant crisis. Both men described the meeting as productive, with Adams emphasizing a shared commitment to addressing violent crime among migrants.
“I heard from the incoming head of ICE that we have the same desire to go after those committing repeated violent acts,” Adams said following the meeting. “That was encouraging to hear.”
Homan, in a separate interview, praised Adams for being willing to collaborate, particularly given New York City’s sanctuary city status. “This isn’t a racial sweep,” Homan said, addressing misconceptions about Trump’s deportation policies. “This is a targeted, well-planned operation.”
Adams, for his part, has maintained his innocence throughout the federal investigation. He also dismissed suggestions that his outreach to Trump’s administration was an attempt to secure a pardon.
“I’ve stated this over and over again: I did nothing wrong,” Adams said during a recent appearance on The View.
New York City’s sanctuary policies, which limit cooperation with federal deportation authorities, have been a point of contention. While Adams cannot unilaterally change these policies—since they are determined by the city council—he has expressed support for rolling back protections for violent offenders.
“This city cannot be a safe haven for individuals committing acts of violence,” Adams said earlier this year.
The ongoing migrant crisis has placed Adams in the national spotlight. New York City, like other Democratic-led cities, has faced challenges managing the influx of migrants arriving from Texas, following Governor Greg Abbott’s controversial relocation program. Adams has repeatedly urged the federal government to provide additional resources to address the strain on the city.
Despite Trump’s remarks and the ongoing investigation, Adams continues to deny any wrongdoing. Charged with wire fraud and bribery in September, Adams insists he has acted within the law.
Trump’s comments suggest Adams’ case may become a significant flashpoint in the next administration.
